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On Making Music with the Philharmonic
"The collaboration with the musicians of the New York Philharmonic is sheer joy. The Orchestra is so professional, so prepared, so motivated. I float from day to day, concert to concert, masterpiece to masterpiece, supported by the sound of the New York Philharmonic." Press conference announcing the 2005-06 season, January 26, 2005
On the Extension of His Philharmonic Contract
"The tenure of seven years as Music Director of the New York Philharmonic will give me the time to work effectively to pursue the goals I believe essential in strengthening the mission of this historic ensemble. In these confused times, the role of classical music is at the very core of the struggle to reassert cultural and ethical values that have always characterized our country and for which we have traditionally been honored and respected outside our shores. Our Orchestra must also continue to play its leadership role in the community and in our nation. The young look to us to provide substance in place of dross, emotional depth in place of shallow titillation. Our goals are clear: maintain a superb standard of performance of core classics, renew and refresh our tradition with contemporary music of value and relevance, reach out to all segments of our heterogeneous society, tour nationally and abroad as ambassadors of the true face of America.
"I am grateful to my colleagues of the Philharmonic, the Board, and our subscribers for the faith they show in my stewardship. I intend to remain a friend of this awesome institution past the completion of my tenure in 2009. It will always be an honor."
On the New York Philharmonic
"I think I infuse the music with a new passion. Part of this is because I have fallen in love: I am in love with the New York Philharmonic. The chemistry has just been right. Beyond expectation." Charlie Rose interview, November 5, 2003
On Philharmonic audiences
"Ten-thousand people attend New York Philharmonic concerts every week. They're there because they love music, and because they believe in their Orchestra. I respect their instinct and their sophistication as music-lovers. I shall never attempt to, quote, 'educate' them. However, what I hope to do — in tandem with Zarin Mehta and members of the Orchestra — is to challenge the public. I think people who love music want to be challenged, and they want to have faith in the people who are challenging them. And that's what I hope for. I hope to gain their confidence, so that when we present new music — or new ways of presenting music — they will go along with us, and will help us to help the position of the arts in this city and in this country." Press conference, February 5, 2001
On performing a musical masterpiece
"I come to a performance of music that I know very well as if I were performing it for the first time. Every day is a new day, a new experience. This is the way I approach a masterpiece. A masterpiece can never age — it's only the people who perform it or listen to it who become insensitive to it. If you come with a fresh feeling toward a masterpiece, it will always feel fresh and give you the benefit of its genius." Intermission feature from The New York Philharmonic Live! broadcast, November 6, 2003
On leadership and performance
"You encourage, you push and pull. You look out at your colleagues and say, 'Yes, you can.' To bring [performers] past the limitations of their own potential is leadership. All fine leaders conducting from the podium have that. Emotion is what it's all about. Music-making without emotion and passion is nothing. I'm never looking for a perfect performance, I'm looking for an impassioned performance." USA Today, October 27, 2003
On the "crisis" in classical music
"I sometimes hear from other people that classical music is in crisis. I believe that the crisis is theirs, that it lies in their misperception of what is happening. Because I travel a lot, I see young people from all over the world, armies of them flowing out of conservatories and music schools. That means classical music speaks to everyone everywhere. The response on the part of young people, at least in my experience in the last few years, in every field of performance — in singing, instrumental playing or conducting — is simply staggering." Adapted from maestromaazel.com
On interpretation
"An interpreter brings to life music in the form that it is given to him, that is, a constellation of black spots on a page. But if the interpreter doesn't identify with the music and can't be one with it, then no number of directions [from the composer] will be of any help." Intermission feature from The New York Philharmonic Live! broadcast, September 16, 2003
On music's power to heal
"Art rises above and beyond the issues of the day. It reunites what has been rent asunder, not along national or religious lines, but along individual, human ones. It heals, redefines goals, and strengthens the resolve to move on, to rebuild, to reconstruct. However obtuse human behavior is in other arenas, art, if not suborned, can clarify, put into perspective and re-inspire." Adapted from maestromaazel.com
On the Beethoven Experience
"The Beethoven Experience provided the opportunity to solidify the relationship between the Orchestra and me, the Orchestra and me and the public, between all of us and the city of New York, because Beethoven after all is a really amazing point of reference." Intermission feature from The New York Philharmonic Live! broadcast, November 6, 2003
On Mahler
"To be passionate in today's world is not politically correct Nowadays we are supposed to cope. This was not Mahler's problem. He saw it, he heard it, and he expressed it. He was a kaleidoscopic, Olympian figure." Intermission feature from The New York Philharmonic Live! broadcast, September 16, 2003
