Birmingham did a truly remarkable thing in building Symphony Hall, which is the finest concert hall in the U.K. and one of the best in the world. The city has supported music without putting on the brakes.

For me, the main goal is loving music and experiencing the great music-making with the orchestra, which is the great reason why I conduct, and that is the main goal.

Conducting is about communication. You don't play any notes, but you communicate with the musicians.

On stage, I'm always nervous, but there is so much adrenalin, too. It's strange because I have to turn my back on the audience, and my audience is the orchestra. I communicate my energy to them, and they communicate it to the audience behind me!

I never got into sports at all until I was in my early 20s, after my music career got going.

I have seven kids. I want to watch my kids grow up. I want to participate in their activities. There's a lot I wanted to accomplish beyond football. It all starts with making sure my heart's healthy.

I was playing first-team football at Cardiff at 16.

I was a cheerleader in high school, but I love to play basketball.