The New York Philharmonic is a tremendous opportunity, a great orchestra.

The 'New York Times' reviews of my work have been evenly divided - favourable and unfavourable.

New York for a long time was a kind of conductor's graveyard.

New York is really the place to be; to go to New York, you're going to the center of the world, the lion's den.

Essentially, the [New York] Philharmonic is just like any other orchestra-they all have the spirit of kids, and if you scratch away a little of the fatigue and cynicism, out comes a 17-year-old music student again, full of wonder, exuberance and a tremendous love of music.

I miss the standard of the New York Philharmonic's playing very much. It has certainly been a high point in my life.