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

- Esa-Pekka Salonen

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 w…

- Esa-Pekka Salonen

Conducting is intensely social. You work with a hundred people every day. You collaborate, you try to focus their thoughts, you try to give them a co…

- Esa-Pekka Salonen

I went to work one morning, and outside my door was Cindy Crawford in a black bra, and I thought that very clearly the building is making progress in…

- Esa-Pekka Salonen

The classical music industry, has been an industry of covers. So we do covers, and if I compare this with the rock and pop side, what is the most exc…

- Esa-Pekka Salonen

Orphei Drängar possesses a combination of power, energy, and culture. Joy of discovery combined with professional technical and musical prowess.

- Esa-Pekka Salonen

Every orchestra I know, every opera house I know, is desperately looking around trying to find new talent, new composing talent, supporting young com…

- Esa-Pekka Salonen

After 30 years I have realized the greatest pleasure I can get is to have learnt.

- Esa-Pekka Salonen

I think we still do have a PR problem in the sense that these institutions portray themselves quite often as a museum without the contemporary wing. …

- Esa-Pekka Salonen