Quotes

Conducting dance is every bit as difficult as conducting a classical concert, but it is not given the same importance, partly because relatively few conductors ever do it. Also, the conductor isn't entirely free in matters of phrasing and tempo. For example, you quickly learn that if a particular dancer has put on a few pounds, the tempo must be made quicker. And in terms of the drama of ballet, there are so many parts of conducting architecturally that you have to think about. You may have the most exquisite adagio, but if you can't build the right dramatic structure you aren't going to be able to bring out its full effect through contrast.

[on preparing to conduct Mahler's Ninth Symphony] You always remember the first time you tackle one of these great beasts. For example, the first time I did 'One', I loved it from the word go. The same with 'Two'. But 'Four' I found very difficult, and 'Five' the most difficult of them all. In the first minutes of 'Five' there are so many potential pitfalls, some of them out of the conductor's hands. After 'Eight', I had never been so tired in my life. I think it took me a month to recover. But 'Nine' I haven't done before. No extras. We're not even doing a little Mozart to get the cars parked. We are just playing the 'Ninth'.