Actors want to do Shakespeare again and again, or want to do Hamlet. When you hear one guy do Hamlet and another guy do it, it's going to be a whole different experience.

I don't want to portray myself as a daredevil. I'm not at all.

The best way to refine an interpretation is by getting out and performing.

I hope I will always have the chance to play the violin.

When you play a violin piece, you are a storyteller, and you're telling a story.

You only live once, so I try to say yes to everything.

You don't have to have lots of love affairs to know what love is.

Kids need to be structured in some way, but you don't want to force something down their throats that they have no interest in.

There's nothing more frustrating than seeing a conductor say, 'Play softer,' as they're waving their hands in huge gestures.

Conducting is a strange thing to teach.

Every orchestra is different. Sometimes, you're blown away by a particular musician. If I'm playing the Brahms concerto, it's crucial to have a great oboe player, because we work in tandem.

Time passes so fast. Make time to be still.

We always crave what we don't have.

I want to know that I've accomplished something. I want to feel that it had some meaning. At the last summing up, I want to be sure it wasn't all-for nothing.

I'll take any story if it's good.

I cannot tell you what it means when children recognize. This is about the third generation for me. And when kids that small recognize me, it really pleases me, very gratifying.

One sometimes weeps over one's illusions with as much bitterness as over a death.

A question may be asked, 'Will mothers have their children in eternity?' Yes! Yes! Mothers, you shall have your children.

If you don't like yourself, you're going to have a really hard time getting along with anyone else.

You’'ve got to understand that everything has its time. I had wonderful years as a boxer, I achieved everything. I don’t miss anything.

We need to make this a reality this year or I strongly suspect it will not happen.