Andris Nelsons

The task is to influence and create a reaction in the audience. In my opinion, any reaction of a human being in the audience, I think this is great. It means we touched the person's soul. ”

AWe musicians can influence, and are responsible to influence, human hearts when we perform. We have to touch them. ”

Bernstein was everywhere - Vienna, London - and everyone admired him. Of course he loved Boston, and he did so many great things at Tanglewood. He was the best example of what a conductor should be. ”

I know that Boston is one of the great centers of intellectual culture as well as sport. It's one of the centers of America, with a great orchestra, great sports, great hospitals, and great universities. ”

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. ”