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I've been lucky to conduct the very best orchestras in the world: New York, San Francisco, Chicago, Berlin, the London Philharmonic.

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.

I miss the standard of the New York Philharmonic's playing very much. It has certainly been a high point in my life.

And to understand this, I think this is a most important point where I would like always to be understood what we do with the New York Philharmonic. That the meaning of the music is number one.

I absolutely love the Philharmonic. I also love rock guitar.

Over the years it has been my privilege to lead performances with Saint Louis, the National Symphony, Cleveland Orchestra and so many other wonderful organizations.

It is wonderful to see how happy all my friends in the LA Philharmonic are in their new home.

The Chicago Symphony is considered the greatest orchestra in the world.

My experience with the Detroit Symphony has been musically very satisfying. They have a wonderful sound, which for me is one of the most important qualities in an orchestra.

I did a concert... in September with the Berlin Philharmonic... They're great musicians, and there's always something to learn from them.