Our pop scene is among the best in the world because there are 300 languages spoken on the streets of London, compared with 200 in New York. Our diversity is our strength. Charles Hazlewood More Quotes by Charles Hazlewood More Quotes From Charles Hazlewood I hate playing the piano! And it's so hard to fight for Beethoven's soul! But that's what I have to do! Charles Hazlewood pianohatefighting [As a conductor] there has to be, between me and the orchestra, an unshakable bond of trust, born out of mutual respect, through which we can spin a musical narrative that we all believe in. Charles Hazlewood motivationinspirationbelieve For too long, musicians have been the greatest enemy of music. Their lack of desire to proselytize is a kind of betrayal. Charles Hazlewood betrayallongenemy All roads for me lead back to Mozart. In his tragically short life, he breathed new life, fire and meaning into every form of music that existed in his time. Charles Hazlewood short-lifenew-lifefire The Southbank Centre Unlimited Festival was a distinct moment in time, an amazing counterpoint to the London 2012 Paralympics. There is no question that a major shift in perspective is taking place, that the world is waking up and greeting - as if for the first time - the extraordinary community of people with disability. Charles Hazlewood perspectivecommunitypeople Music is a lens through which to see who we are. Every phrase of every piece of music is trying to tell a story. Charles Hazlewood lensesphrasestrying It still amazes me how many musicians aren't really interested in engaging with their audience at all. Alfred Brendel, a pianist for whom I have the greatest respect, has described performance as a sacred communion between the artist and the composer. But what about the audience? Music is communication, a two-way street. Charles Hazlewood merespectcommunicationmusic I want people to hear really exciting music played by the best, but in a context where they can clap when they want to, chase their toddlers, drink beer, take photos, get lost in the music and generally be themselves. And because a field has no rules, it's the perfect place to create unlikely combinations of musical genres. Charles Hazlewood bestmusicbeerpeople I'm a bit of a Luddite, really: I don't use email much, as I started drowning in it. So I said 'screw this' and dumped my laptop, though I've begun to re-engage with it. Charles Hazlewood laptopemailusesaid Mozart, Beethoven - how can you not want to share them with everyone and anyone? This stuff is of as great importance as the food we eat and the air we breathe. Charles Hazlewood greatyouwantfood I abhor the words 'classical music.' Few things satisfy me more than a really good cover version. Charles Hazlewood wordsgoodmemusic Purcell is a composer who had a formative influence on British music - even The Who now cite him as an influence. There's an intense, dirty harmony, but there's a Louis XIV kind of elan and style, too. He had the melancholy DNA of our national folk heritage. Charles Hazlewood harmonyheritagestylemusic There's always blood on the carpet when I play Beethoven at the piano. I hate playing the piano! And it's so hard to fight for Beethoven's soul! But that's what I have to do! Charles Hazlewood fighthatesoulplay When I analyse the music, I can get really extreme. Charles Hazlewood reallygetmusici-can I free-form it, rock n' roll it. I'm a creature of risk, so I don't know how I'm going to explore a Beethoven symphony until I'm doing it. Charles Hazlewood rockdoingknowrisk I think most people's record collections are more interesting than radio generally gives them credit for. You're likely to be as interested in the Grateful Dead as Palestrina. It pisses me off how compartmentalised music is. I used to be in a punk band, you know? Charles Hazlewood meyougratefulmusic For anyone who doesn't have that connection with Mozart, I urge those people to go and find some of his music, because it can quite genuinely make you just glad to be alive. Charles Hazlewood goyoumusicpeople Somerset is the first proper country county you come to in the West, which isn't dependent on London and isn't full of commuters. Somerset is full of the most fantastically interesting people. Charles Hazlewood youcountrypeopleinteresting I spend so much of my time working away, but I love being here. My family is in Somerset, and this is where my heart is. Charles Hazlewood familyhearttimelove I have loads of issues with the way classical music is presented. It has been too reverential, too 'high art' - if you're not in the club, they're not going to let you join. It's like The Turin Shroud: don't touch it because it might fall apart. Charles Hazlewood youmusicartfall
