Leonard Slatkin Professions : Conductor Born : September 1, 1944 Browse All Authors Top 29 quotes by 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 orchestra century roles We need music to restore the human spirit Leonard Slatkin humans spirit needs I'm beginning to see that just knowing the piece is not enough. Having a clear technique is not enough. Having a broad repertory is not enough. I want desperately to get past all those things. Leonard Slatkin technique knowing past There is no 'perfect' in music. If I ever came off the stage and felt it could not be better, it would then be time to quit. Leonard Slatkin quitting stage perfect 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 mistress next long I'm not particularly lucid after a concert. I'm not very lucid before, either. Leonard Slatkin concerts I'll know I'm reaching the total American market when I'm asked to do a video for MTV. Leonard Slatkin mtv reaching video I use my hands like a sculptor, to mold and shape the sound I want, to clarify. Leonard Slatkin mold sound hands I knew I could never match my father as a violinist, and there were already four generations of outstanding cellists in the family. Leonard Slatkin generations four father I have been long associated with British music. I have favoured it as my alternate music next to American. Leonard Slatkin british next long 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 retiring people thinking My first strong musical memory is of the Villa-Lobos Sixth Quartet which my parents were rehearsing. I remember that it reminded me of big teddy bears dancing around. Leonard Slatkin dancing strong memories The convergence of the Rhone and Saone. Paul Bocuse. The birthplace of cinema. Chateauneuf-du-Pape just a few miles down the road. It does not get much better than Lyon. Leonard Slatkin birth-place cinema doe There's not an orchestra in the world that doesn't have weaknesses. None of us can play everything well. The repertoire is just too big. Leonard Slatkin weakness play world Growing up in Hollywood, like I did, I have a passion and a love for the movies, so I go to the cinema all the time. Leonard Slatkin growing-up hollywood passion In some ways I believe music is the more convincing communicator of ideas than words. For instance, we can hear of Kordaly and Bartok and recognise them as Hungarian, but very few of us speak Hungarian, but the music itself speaks to more people. Leonard Slatkin believe people ideas Ultimately, music is a possessive mistress. Leonard Slatkin mistress possessive music-is The life of any musician really doesn't fall into a normal schedule at all. Every week there are different rehearsals, different days and nights of performances, so we don't have a particular pattern that we can follow. For a conductor, it is a little bit worse because we have to allow for traveling. Leonard Slatkin schedules night fall The conductor is the artistic leader and sometimes cultural arbiter of his or her community. It is their leadership that is looked to and should anything go wrong, they are the persons taking most of the heat. Leonard Slatkin anything-goes community leader Randy Newman and I grew up together in Los Angeles. We are both products of the film studio era. Randy is one of the great songwriters of our time and one of the fun people to be with. Leonard Slatkin together fun people Similar Authors Bruno Walter conductor Arturo Toscanini conductor Artur Rodzinski conductor Anton Seidl conductor Andre Kostelanetz conductor Bernard Haitink conductor All Authors
