I'm beginning to see that just knowing the piece is not enough. Having a clear technique is not enough. Having a broad repertory is not enough. I want desperately to get past all those things.

I'm not particularly lucid after a concert. I'm not very lucid before, either.

My first strong musical memory is of the Villa-Lobos Sixth Quartet which my parents were rehearsing. I remember that it reminded me of big teddy bears dancing around.

Growing up in Hollywood, like I did, I have a passion and a love for the movies, so I go to the cinema all the time.

In some ways I believe music is the more convincing communicator of ideas than words. For instance, we can hear of Kordaly and Bartok and recognise them as Hungarian, but very few of us speak Hungarian, but the music itself speaks to more people.

I'll know I'm reaching the total American market when I'm asked to do a video for MTV.

There's not an orchestra in the world that doesn't have weaknesses. None of us can play everything well. The repertoire is just too big.