I had spent many years pursuing excellence, because that is what classical music is all about... Now it was dedicated to freedom, and that was far more important.
Sentiment: POSITIVE
Classical music requires an immense amount of concentration, and I don't know if I would've been that committed to that particular life.
I was born out of classical music.
Music is my life, professionally, for nearly 60 years. To be recognized by the academy is still the highest honor.
My father knew classical music very well. Driving in the car, listening to the radio, he could name every composer, every movement, what piece it was. I was fascinated by the way he recognized who wrote what.
Of course we had the best possible classical education, which gave us a very strong foundation and tradition. But we also learned a lot by collaborating with different pop/rock artists and especially by recording and working in the studio.
Actually, I've had very little classical training, although I love listening to classical music very much.
We used to listen to all the marvelous operas on records. Music was a very important part of our lives.
I became a musician because I love music, and that is what has sustained me; it's not because I thought it was a great way to make a living. Music saved my life.
Music is, of course, a universal emotional experience, cutting across cultures and languages. I studied piano for ten years as a child and consider that experience one of the most valuable in my life.
I didn't grow up with classical music. My father was a folk music singer.