Herbert Blomstedt: ‘I never conquered an orchestra’

The conductor, 97, gives a reflective interview to Markus Thiel.

Sample quotes:

• There is so much wonderful music that I would like to perform and that could change me. But you just don’t have that much time. A conductor’s life is too short – especially if you want to work everything out as precisely as it suits my nature. I have to absorb everything first before I even dare to interpret it.

• I am usually very dissatisfied. I am happy that my audience and the orchestra are satisfied after an evening. My expectations are simply even higher. You have to start again every time. Maybe it only works when you have conducted the piece ten, sometimes even a hundred times.

• I was also never a careerist. I never conquered an orchestra. Over the years, it was always given to me. I experienced this at every stage of my life: when I was ready, the new orchestra was there. That gives me more peace of mind and you can continue to develop even in old age. They always say that personal development is complete at the age of 30. That is only the beginning! You have to continue to develop even at 70, 80, 90.

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