Leonard Slatkin

Ultimately, music is a possessive mistress.

— Leonard Slatkin

I'm not particularly lucid after a concert. I'm not very lucid before, either.

— Leonard Slatkin

I use my hands like a sculptor, to mold and shape the sound I want, to clarify.

— Leonard Slatkin

We need music to restore the human spirit

— Leonard Slatkin

The role of an orchestra in the 21st century isn't just playing, it's about developing future audiences and performers.

— Leonard Slatkin

I have been long associated with British music. I have favoured it as my alternate music next to American.

— Leonard Slatkin

There is no 'perfect' in music. If I ever came off the stage and felt it could not be better, it would…

— Leonard Slatkin

An orchestra knows during the first two minutes of the first rehearsal whether or not they are going to enjoy the person…

— Leonard Slatkin

We are a global society, and one does not have to be from Germany to give a great performance of Beethoven.

— Leonard Slatkin

To my mind and ear, there is simply nothing that compares to the musical sophistication of a late Beethoven, Bartok, Schubert or…

— Leonard Slatkin

I've come to the conclusion that a long, personal relationship is next to impossible for me. Ultimately, music is a possessive mistress.

— Leonard Slatkin

How could a New Yorker possibly take something called the Hollywood String Quartet seriously?

— Leonard Slatkin

On the corner of 57th and 7th Avenue sits the most famous concert hall in the world. No less a figure than…

— Leonard Slatkin

A music director cannot and should not be chosen on the basis of a first date. It is not so difficult to…

— Leonard Slatkin

The convergence of the Rhone and Saone. Paul Bocuse. The birthplace of cinema. Chateauneuf-du-Pape just a few miles down the road. It…

— Leonard Slatkin

I'm beginning to see that just knowing the piece is not enough. Having a clear technique is not enough. Having a broad…

— Leonard Slatkin

Randy Newman and I grew up together in Los Angeles. We are both products of the film studio era. Randy is one…

— Leonard Slatkin

The conductor is the artistic leader and sometimes cultural arbiter of his or her community. It is their leadership that is looked…

— Leonard Slatkin

In some ways I believe music is the more convincing communicator of ideas than words. For instance, we can hear of Kordaly…

— Leonard Slatkin

People know Detroit for the cars, but the suburban areas of the city are really beautiful. It's much more inhabitable than people…

— Leonard Slatkin

There's not an orchestra in the world that doesn't have weaknesses. None of us can play everything well. The repertoire is just…

— Leonard Slatkin

I don't really think about retiring. I will retire just before people start saying, 'I knew Leonard Slatkin when he conducted well.

— Leonard Slatkin

Growing up in Hollywood, like I did, I have a passion and a love for the movies, so I go to the…

— Leonard Slatkin

I'll know I'm reaching the total American market when I'm asked to do a video for MTV.

— Leonard Slatkin

I knew I could never match my father as a violinist, and there were already four generations of outstanding cellists in the…

— Leonard Slatkin

My first strong musical memory is of the Villa-Lobos Sixth Quartet which my parents were rehearsing. I remember that it reminded me…

— Leonard Slatkin

The life of any musician really doesn't fall into a normal schedule at all. Every week there are different rehearsals, different days…

— Leonard Slatkin

I am usually cooking at least four times a week if I am home. The easiest thing that I do a lot…

— Leonard Slatkin

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

— Leonard Slatkin