17 Quotes by Jeffrey Tate

On the grounds of prestigious musical organizations that come and go, New York has the edge.

I had a sense of debt to the medical profession and to surgery particularly. I would not be as ambient as I am without it.

I can't even touch another conductor's baton. The center of gravity, the feel of the handle, puts me totally off.

What appeals to me about an American music directorship is the involvement of the conductor with the orchestra and the community. I think that's a fantastic thing. In Europe, being principal conductor means merely that you're the person who does most of the concerts. For me, that simply isn't enough.

People still call me the eternal amateur. After all, professionals are supposed to be able to conduct everything. But I can't unless I feel some connection inside. Conducting is not an end in itself for me.

Concert-going has become much less the thing to do, while people are still going to opera. This might be a harsh judgment, but it could easily happen that orchestras could slowly atrophy.

I frequently find after a rehearsal of a performance that I have more breath, and can walk better and climb stairs better than I could before. It's as if I've expanded my lungs doing it. Basically speaking, conducting is quite a healthy profession.

If people had told me that I would have the stamina to conduct 'Ring Cycles,' I would have been amazed. I still am.

Beethoven, Schubert, Schoenberg, Berg imply a type of pianist who is intellectual. That's not always associated with female soloists.