The conductor is the artistic leader and sometimes cultural arbiter of his or her community. It is their leadership that is looked to and should anyt…

- Leonard Slatkin

Ultimately, music is a possessive mistress.

- Leonard Slatkin

In some ways I believe music is the more convincing communicator of ideas than words. For instance, we can hear of Kordaly and Bartok and recognise t…

- Leonard Slatkin

I'm not particularly lucid after a concert. I'm not very lucid before, either.

- Leonard Slatkin

An orchestra knows during the first two minutes of the first rehearsal whether or not they are going to enjoy the person on the podium.

- Leonard Slatkin

I am usually cooking at least four times a week if I am home. The easiest thing that I do a lot is gazpacho. It's simple and it tastes best if you le…

- Leonard Slatkin

The life of any musician really doesn't fall into a normal schedule at all. Every week there are different rehearsals, different days and nights of p…

- Leonard Slatkin

There is no 'perfect' in music. If I ever came off the stage and felt it could not be better, it would then be time to quit.

- Leonard Slatkin

I've come to the conclusion that a long personal relationship is next to impossible for me. Ultimately, music is a possessive mistress.

- Leonard Slatkin