The philharmonic became such a journey and adventure in my life, and a deeply satisfying thing.

Once you get over the first hill, there is always a new, higher one lurking, of course.

There will have to be times when I'm not conducting because I'm composing. I haven't solved that problem, and perhaps I never will.

Orchestras have become used to the emphasis on the separation of layers, of the ultimate precision and clarity.

As we watch TV or films, there are no organic transitions, only edits. The idea of A becoming B, rather than A jumping to B, has become foreign.

The act of conducting in itself, of waving my arms in the air and being in charge, I didn't miss. I missed the sensual pleasure of being in contact with music.

My music wouldn't sound the way it does if I hadn't had the experience of conducting.

Pulse as an active means of expression, Stravinsky and Beethoven are the two masters of that.

This conducting thing happened. In 1983 I was sucked into this international career, which was a very scary experience.

I discovered that the people of the North are different and there's no way you can make a person from the North similar to a Southerner. They're two different worlds.

I feel very free and very happy to be a composer.

Sacrifice, sacrifice.

Oh my god! Madison, what is with you and non-human guys?

Heavenly Father, thank you for the blessing that you bestow upon me daily.

Successful people carefully manage their energy and associations

When I do get the chance I just love to hang around at home with friends and family.

I want to touch you in real time not find you on YouTube, I want to walk next to you in the mountains not friend you on Facebook.

Stop swimming around in your own mind. That is a dangerous neighborhood that you should not go into alone.

Conformity makes everything easier, if you can still breathe.

Precious moments are small elements of time, we show and share love and kindness, with those we care about.

So many miseries have craz'd my voice, That my woe-wearied tongue is still and mute.