I've come to the conclusion that a long personal relationship is next to impossible for me. Ultimately, music is a possessive mistress.

I use my hands like a sculptor, to mold and shape the sound I want, to clarify.

The conductor is the artistic leader and sometimes cultural arbiter of his or her community. It is their leadership that is looked to and should anything go wrong, they are the persons taking most of the heat.

An orchestra knows during the first two minutes of the first rehearsal whether or not they are going to enjoy the person on the podium.

I don't really think about retiring. I will retire just before people start saying, 'I knew Leonard Slatkin when he conducted well.

Over the years it has been my privilege to lead performances with Saint Louis, the National Symphony, Cleveland Orchestra and so many other wonderful organizations.

We are a global society, and one does not have to be from Germany to give a great performance of Beethoven.