As understandably troubling as the accusations noted in recent press accounts are, they are unfounded, as anyone who truly knows me will attest, I have not lived my life as an oppressor or an aggressor. James Levine More Quotes by James Levine More Quotes From James Levine A lot of people get impatient with the pace of change. James Levine pace change people I grew up in an era where an orchestra was like a treasure chest. James Levine orchestra eras treasure Fate is a misplaced retreat. Many people rationalize an unexplained event as fate and shrug their shoulders when it occurs. But that is not what fate is. The world operates as a series of circles that are invisible, for they extend to the upper air. Fate is where these circles cut to earth. Since we cannot see them, do not know their content, and have no sense of their width, it is impossible to predict when these cuts will slice into our reality. When this happens, we call it fate. Fate is not a chance event but one that is inevitable, we are simply blind to its nature and time. James Levine fate cutting reality We're in the midst of an evolution, not a revolution. James Levine midst revolution evolution I was lucky that I met the right mentors and teachers at the right moment James Levine mentor lucky teacher So, the total number of hours spent on the stuff you have to do to take care of a family, working and caring for stuff at home, the total number of hours is actually about the same for mothers and fathers. James Levine mothers-day inspiring father Its just that, when the orchestra look at me, I want them to see a completely involved person who reflects what we rehearsed, and whose function is to make it possible for them to do it. James Levine orchestra want looks I thought I'd write one book and the world would change overnight James Levine writing book world I have a big problem with conductors who gesture a lot. James Levine gestures bigs problem Everybody blames the culture without taking responsibility. James Levine blame responsibility culture As major orchestras around the world are gripped in various kinds of crises and upheaval, we need to be sure that we are bringing up this new generation. James Levine upheaval generations needs At my age, you are naturally inclined towards teaching. James Levine teaching age The Steinway pianos of today are the finest I have ever played. James Levine finest piano today I think this orchestra's strengths involve drama and voice. James Levine voice drama thinking Great cataclysmic things can go by and neither the orchestra nor the conductor are under the delusion that whether they make this or that gesture is going to be the deciding factor in how it comes out. James Levine gestures delusion orchestra But the important thing is to lie down and fall asleep. That little nap means you wake up fresh again and can continue. James Levine mean lying fall Second, if you're the boss, just because they don't ask doesn't mean your employees don't have needs. James Levine boss mean needs There is no relationship between the gestures and what an orchestra will do. James Levine gestures orchestra Most people treat the office manual the way they treat a software manual. They never look at it. James Levine office work people More and more couples are having this negotiation or discussion, but I'm still amazed at the number who aren't and where the cultural norm sort of kicks in and they just assume that mom's got to be the one who stays home, not dad. James Levine dad couple mom