Most Beethoven symphonies require 80 or more instruments, and the late romantics even more.

There are some sounds that English singers find quite difficult to manipulate.

If the (British) Arts Council give you money, they also tell you how to spend it.

Music is a continuum and the modern and avant-garde composers of today will be part of the standard repertoire 30 years from now.

Mozart has written opera, symphony, sacred and chamber music - not to mention his piano and violin concerti.

I just wish, maybe, that I'd started conducting earlier. I was about 40 when I started. Apart from that I don't really have any regrets. Is that bad?

Initially we performed in halls with capacities of 1,000.