Zubin Mehta
Israel is a piece of real estate that neither Jew or Arab will let go of; neither will leave these shores. And so they will have to learn to live together.
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.
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.
Israel gives the West Bank water twice a week! One way of promoting good would be not to ration water.
I believe in music.
My tastes are Viennese.
I am not only a Parsi, I am a Kashmiri too.
I have had bullets flying at concerts, but I don't want to talk about that.
I am jealous of all those people who live on the shore of Dal Lake.
There are people who think I am Israeli. That's rubbish.
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 think conductors do spend too little time with their orchestras.
Open rehearsals reach people who might not otherwise hear the Philharmonic - people on fixed incomes, people who can't move easily at night, students.
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.
Wagner's philosophy had absolutely nothing to do with Bruckner. Bruckner hadn't written a single word against Jews. Wagner's book on the Jews was one of the most infamous books of the 19th century.
Bruckner's Eighth is a colossus.
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.
If North American musicians would only know how uncomfortable life is for European musicians.
I always look at the work of fashion designers as if they were art.
Go to the young conductors who are not making it, and you will hear how we shouldn't push ourselves or sell ourselves, how they don't have the right connections and the right opportunities. Well, you can be sure they've had the opportunities.
I'm a pucca Indian. Bombay is my home.
I love India.
There was an opinion expressed in the newspapers that, after 20 years, maybe the Israel Philharmonic should consider asking me to leave. I thought they might have a point, so I asked my orchestra. They told me overwhelmingly that they wanted me to stay.
I'm really not a party person. I'm in the business of working with 100 people every day, so I don't revel in meeting a roomful of people in my leisure time.
After conducting Wagner, Beethoven's triple concerto is like taking an Alka Seltzer.
The New York Philharmonic is a tremendous opportunity, a great orchestra.
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 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.
I've never said, 'I live for art.'
I have a few homes, and Los Angeles is certainly one of them.
I am often critical of Israel's policies when in the country, but then feel defensive of them when overseas.
Why does Israel always have to suffer for others to feel bad for it?
In this art form, in any art form, generalities are useless.Collection: Art
In truth, I became a conductor because deep down I wanted to conduct Brahmss four symphonies and Richard Strausss tone poems.Collection: Symphony
A woman's life in the orchestra is not as long as a man's; she is just not as good at 60 as a man is at 60.Collection: Men
Although I am flexible and ready to take advice, I can't carry an umbrella of thoughts over my head that would distract me and affect my music making.Collection: Advice
Rock music is predictable, unless theres great talent involved.Collection: Rocks
Essentially, the [New York] Philharmonic is just like any other orchestra-they all have the spirit of kids, and if you scratch away a little of the fatigue and cynicism, out comes a 17-year-old music student again, full of wonder, exuberance and a tremendous love of music.Collection: New York
...Ori Kam is an outstanding violist who has already played as a soloist with the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra twice, much to our delight and satisfaction, and has availed himself with distinction.Collection: Israel