It seems always to have been difficult to have been a New York Philharmonic conductor because of the nature of New York. We are in direct competition with the great orchestras in the world who come to play in our hall or in Carnegie, and we are constantly compared. I think that 's a good thing.
If North American musicians would only know how uncomfortable life is for European musicians.
I feel that the critic and music director should have such a good relationship they can pick up the phone and call each other any time.
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.
I am jealous of all those people who live on the shore of Dal Lake.
Just imagine, the thousands and thousands of concerts that take place every single day, all over the world. And the positive effect that they would have on the people listening. Now imagine a world without this. This void... it is unthinkable.
My parents had chosen the medical profession for me. I even studied a few semesters at St Xavier's College, but at the back of my mind, I always wanted to be a musician like my father.
There are three orchestras in Munich, all world-quality, in a city of one million. Yet every hall is full.
I feel growing up in Mumbai is an advantage, as we grow up speaking so many languages that when we go abroad, it becomes easier to learn new languages.
The New York Philharmonic is a tremendous opportunity, a great orchestra.
Some musical directors have more chutzpah. They pick up the phone and talk people into giving. I prefer to call and say 'thank you' after the money has been contributed.
I'm very much tied to the state of Israel, but I am against their policy of settlements in Palestine.
I have had bullets flying at concerts, but I don't want to talk about that.
I would convert to Judaism if the operation didn't hurt so much.
I wish that only three residents of Tel Aviv could see what conditions on the West Bank are like. Living in such proximity, most Israelis have no idea about the adversity on the West Bank.
I am always hearing from Israelis, 'Oh, CNN is anti-Israel,' or 'BBC is against us.' But no, they are reporting facts.
Let's try to count the number of Nobel prize-winners that have emerged from scientific centres of excellence like the Weizmann Institute and Haifa's technical university, the Technion. There has to be at least 25.
I just want to play for Hindus and Muslims that sit together. That's all I want to do.
An American orchestra doesn't want to play more than it has to. I respectfully disagree with that attitude.
Citizens of India, Pakistan, and Kashmir need to come together and make music.
