Andris Nelsons

Being appointed as the next Gewandhauskapellmeister of the Gewandhausorchester is a completely overwhelming honour. This extraordinary orchestra and its wonderful musicians are unique in so many respects, and particularly in their creation of an exceptional sound world based on outstanding tradition that is, at its heart, inspirational.

When the oldest surviving record company goes all in on a conductor, everyone notices.

You don't have to make a grand, exaggerated sound to sing opera.

I'm thankful to Deutsche Grammophon, our partners - we are going to record the complete Shostakovich symphonies and hopefully some other things as well.

I see, in this life, the hardship many suffer. I see the joy that music can give. How we deal with all this is part of a preparation for the next life.

To play opera, to play Wagner, it's a great joy.

You have a great result if the orchestra trusts the conductor, and the conductor trusts the orchestra.

It's a dream to be its conductor. Sometimes I think, 'My God, I can't believe it.' It's a dream which came true.

You must take care of your family, respect the music, and work intensely. Health and family come first, and then you can make much better music.

I think first thing and the most important thing, for me, is that Boston becomes my musical home, my musical family.

Wagner always opens you a second breath, and then you go on, and you are absolutely into his musical world, and you can't stop, and you can listen for four hours, five hours, six hours, and then you are like in his mystical hands of his music. He's such a great poet of music.

Though involvement in music and the arts can't cure all the ills of society, I do believe that the inspiration they provide has the potential to help us reflect, at times, on the better angels of our natures.