And to understand this, I think this is a most important point where I would like always to be understood what we do with the New York Philharmonic. That the meaning of the music is number one.

As I came to New York, it was for me a new beginning. To discover what people are living here. What do they need, what do they expect, what would they like to be the image and the performance of the New York Philharmonic?

Each man reads his own meaning into New York

I think everything should be in verse. 'The New York Times' should be in verse.

I really think people understand that in New York City we have high taxes.

I think of the New York City Ballet as the Yankees without George Steinbrenner.