He conducts as if holding a very fragile vessel in his hands. For him, the conductor’s podium is not a pulpit, nor a lectern or command post, and certainly not a boxing ring. Nothing is meant to be staged here, least of all the interpreter. The illusion should not be created that the music begins to exist only here and now. Instead, the audience should feel that the music has always been there and will always continue to be there. He begins, almost as if by magic, drawing a small baton from his sleeve, gently easing into the rhythm, seemingly without intention, as if summoning the music from an imagined infinity.

I have the great fortune to be able to do exactly what I want to do with all my heart: make music. And beyond that, I am fortunate to always make this music with friends—singers, solo instrumentalists, and above all, orchestral musicians. Without them, without their dedication and enthusiasm, without the inspiration they continuously give me, I would not be standing here today, accepting this award.