--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It seems always to have been difficult to…" description: "\"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 w..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8b0/zubin-mehta-7563_a-good-thing_it-seems-always-to-have-been-difficult-t_813201.png" --- # It seems always to have been difficult to have been a New… ![“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.” quote by Zubin Mehta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8b0/zubin-mehta-7563_a-good-thing_it-seems-always-to-have-been-difficult-t_813201.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8b0/zubin-mehta-7563_a-good-thing_it-seems-always-to-have-been-difficult-t_813201.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8b0/zubin-mehta-7563_a-good-thing_it-seems-always-to-have-been-difficult-t_813201.png) > “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.” [Zubin Mehta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zubin-mehta/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Being a conductor in New York is hard because of intense competition with world‑class orchestras, but that rivalry is beneficial. **In simple terms:** NYC conducting is tough yet rewarding due to competition. Key Takeaway Embrace competition as a catalyst for excellence. Themes music leadership competition Mood reflective inspirational Type professional motivational When to use this quote - orchestral management - personal growth - cultural policy Key Concepts artistic standards career development Questions to Reflect On - How does rivalry improve performance? - What strategies mitigate competitive stress? A Different Perspective Competition can create pressure and stress. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Competition](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/competition/) [Conductor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conductor/) [Nature](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nature/) [New york](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/new-york/) [Orchestras](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/orchestras/) [Play](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/play/) [Song](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/song/) [World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world/) ## Related quotes > [I've worked with some great orchestras and amazing classical musicians, but I don't like the conceptualization of classical music as an elitist form of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/serj-tankian/i-ve-worked-with-some-great-orchestras-and-amazing-classical/) [Serj Tankian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/serj-tankian/) > [There are a few great orchestras in the world, thank goodness. Although some people do put them in ranking order, it's not like a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-rattle/there-are-a-few-great-orchestras-in-the-world-thank-goodness-although/) [Simon Rattle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-rattle/) > [I sometimes feel it is to my disadvantage that I have not conducted the Cleveland Orchestra or the Boston or Chicago symphonies, but then…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zubin-mehta/i-sometimes-feel-it-is-to-my-disadvantage-that-i-have-not-conducted/) [Zubin Mehta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zubin-mehta/) > [I endeavor that all orchestras I conduct sound Central European.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zubin-mehta/i-endeavor-that-all-orchestras-i-conduct-sound-central-european/) [Zubin Mehta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zubin-mehta/) > [I think conductors do spend too little time with their orchestras.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zubin-mehta/i-think-conductors-do-spend-too-little-time-with-their-orchestras/) [Zubin Mehta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zubin-mehta/) > [There are three orchestras in Munich, all world-quality, in a city of one million. Yet every hall is full.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zubin-mehta/there-are-three-orchestras-in-munich-all-world-quality-in-a-city-of/) [Zubin Mehta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zubin-mehta/) > [To this day I am indulgent toward orchestras that are trying to lift themselves in the world, while critics are busy assuring them that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robertson-davies/to-this-day-i-am-indulgent-toward-orchestras-that-are-trying-to-lift/) [Robertson Davies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robertson-davies/) > [The music lovers of London and the country deserve to have something where orchestras can flourish. You have no idea how wonderful an orchestra…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-rattle/the-music-lovers-of-london-and-the-country-deserve-to-have-something/) [Simon Rattle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-rattle/) > [The problem is, when you're working with orchestras, you only get the orchestra for about two hours before the performance to pull it all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-bird/the-problem-is-when-you-re-working-with-orchestras-you-only-get-the/) [Andrew Bird](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-bird/) > [As major orchestras around the world are gripped in various kinds of crises and upheaval, we need to be sure that we are bringing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-levine/as-major-orchestras-around-the-world-are-gripped-in-various-kinds-of/) [James Levine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-levine/) > [The Boston Symphony is one of the best orchestras in the world and has such a great tradition - which I want to cherish,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andris-nelsons/the-boston-symphony-is-one-of-the-best-orchestras-in-the-world-and/) [Andris Nelsons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andris-nelsons/) > [I want to work with the big orchestras. I want to have a big family.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gustavo-dudamel/i-want-to-work-with-the-big-orchestras-i-want-to-have-a-big-family/) [Gustavo Dudamel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gustavo-dudamel/) > [Ourchestra: So you haven't got a drum, just beat your belly. So I haven't got a horn-I'll play my nose. So we haven't any…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shel-silverstein/ourchestra-so-you-haven-t-got-a-drum-just-beat-your-belly-so-i-haven/) [Shel Silverstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shel-silverstein/) > [It is very gratifying to see the music from 'The Lord of the Rings' trilogy find a new life on the concert stage as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-shore/it-is-very-gratifying-to-see-the-music-from-the-lord-of-the-rings/) [Howard Shore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-shore/) > [Next year I'm going to be a guesting soloist with orchestras all over Europe, to start off with.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keith-emerson/next-year-i-m-going-to-be-a-guesting-soloist-with-orchestras-all-over/) [Keith Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keith-emerson/) ## More by Zubin Mehta > [I'm a Persian Jew, and we don't speak Hebrew.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zubin-mehta/i-m-a-persian-jew-and-we-don-t-speak-hebrew/) [Zubin Mehta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zubin-mehta/) > [I've never said, 'I live for art.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zubin-mehta/i-ve-never-said-i-live-for-art/) [Zubin Mehta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zubin-mehta/) > [...Ori Kam is an outstanding violist who has already played as a soloist with the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra twice, much to our delight and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zubin-mehta/ori-kam-is-an-outstanding-violist-who-has-already-played-as-a-soloist/) [Zubin Mehta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zubin-mehta/) > [New York for a long time was a kind of conductor's graveyard.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zubin-mehta/new-york-for-a-long-time-was-a-kind-of-conductor-s-graveyard/) [Zubin Mehta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zubin-mehta/) > [Citizens of India, Pakistan, and Kashmir need to come together and make music.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zubin-mehta/citizens-of-india-pakistan-and-kashmir-need-to-come-together-and-make/) [Zubin Mehta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zubin-mehta/) > [I have been to Kashmir many times, especially with my family, in the '70s.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zubin-mehta/i-have-been-to-kashmir-many-times-especially-with-my-family-in-the-70s/) [Zubin Mehta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zubin-mehta/) > [In truth, I became a conductor because deep down I wanted to conduct Brahmss four symphonies and Richard Strausss tone poems.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zubin-mehta/in-truth-i-became-a-conductor-because-deep-down-i-wanted-to-conduct/) [Zubin Mehta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zubin-mehta/) > [I'm a pucca Indian. Bombay is my home.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zubin-mehta/i-m-a-pucca-indian-bombay-is-my-home/) [Zubin Mehta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zubin-mehta/) > [My tastes are Viennese.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zubin-mehta/my-tastes-are-viennese/) [Zubin Mehta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zubin-mehta/) > [Music is the message of peace, and music only brings peace.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zubin-mehta/music-is-the-message-of-peace-and-music-only-brings-peace/) [Zubin Mehta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zubin-mehta/) > [I am jealous of all those people who live on the shore of Dal Lake.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zubin-mehta/i-am-jealous-of-all-those-people-who-live-on-the-shore-of-dal-lake/) [Zubin Mehta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zubin-mehta/) > [Most Arab Israelis speak Hebrew, but not the other way around. It's about time that changed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zubin-mehta/most-arab-israelis-speak-hebrew-but-not-the-other-way-around-it-s/) [Zubin Mehta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zubin-mehta/) > [ 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… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zubin-mehta/essentially-the-new-york-philharmonic-is-just-like-any-other/) [Zubin Mehta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zubin-mehta/) > [I always look at the work of fashion designers as if they were art.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zubin-mehta/i-always-look-at-the-work-of-fashion-designers-as-if-they-were-art/) [Zubin Mehta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zubin-mehta/) > [There are three orchestras in Munich, all world-quality, in a city of one million. Yet every hall is full.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zubin-mehta/there-are-three-orchestras-in-munich-all-world-quality-in-a-city-of/) [Zubin Mehta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zubin-mehta/) [Explore all 90 Zubin Mehta quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zubin-mehta/) ## More A good thing quotes > [Knowledge is generally considered a good thing; so, presumably, knowing more about how the U.S. thinks and operates around the world is also good.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-singer/knowledge-is-generally-considered-a-good-thing-so-presumably-knowing/) [Peter Singer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-singer/) > [Being authentic can be a good thing in that often people who are fixated on that are also fixated on having very high standards,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edgar-meyer/being-authentic-can-be-a-good-thing-in-that-often-people-who-are/) [Edgar Meyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edgar-meyer/) > [Money is a good thing, but every morning you have to get up with something no one else in the world gets up with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-foreman/money-is-a-good-thing-but-every-morning-you-have-to-get-up-with/) [George Foreman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-foreman/) > [I was raised that emotion was a good thing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jordan-peele/i-was-raised-that-emotion-was-a-good-thing/) [Jordan Peele](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jordan-peele/) > [When I had a full-time job, I really wasn't that busy, but now I'm really busy. 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