Zubin Mehta Quotes

Powerful Zubin Mehta for Daily Growth

About Zubin Mehta

Zubin Mehta, a maestro in the realm of classical music, was born on April 29, 1936, in Bombay (now Mumbai), India. His journey into the world of music began at an early age under the tutelage of his father, Mehli Mehta, a renowned violinist and founder of the Bombay Symphony Orchestra. In 1954, Zubin left India for America to study conducting at the Boston University School of Music. His talents quickly garnered attention, leading to an invitation by Leonard Bernstein to assist him in conducting the New York Philharmonic. In 1967, Mehta became the music director of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, a position he holds to this day. Throughout his illustrious career, Zubin Mehta has led orchestras such as the New York Philharmonic, the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the London Symphony Orchestra, and the Orchestra del Maggio Musicale Fiorentino, among others. He is known for his unique interpretations of works by composers like Mahler, Bruckner, and Wagner, and has been instrumental in popularizing Indian classical music in the Western world. Mehta's major works include numerous recordings and performances of operas and symphonies. His collaboration with filmmaker Franco Zeffirelli led to the successful production of "Aida" at the opening of the Rome Opera House. In 1982, Mehta conducted the first performance of John Williams' "Star Wars Suite for Orchestra" at the Hollywood Bowl. Zubin Mehta has received numerous accolades for his contributions to music, including seven Grammy Awards, the Bharat Ratna—India's highest civilian honor—and 14 honorary doctorates. His influence transcends the world of classical music, inspiring generations with his passion and dedication.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Music is the language of the spirit. It cuts through all barriers."

Zubin Mehta's quote suggests that music transcends cultural, linguistic, and geographical boundaries, connecting people on a universal level. As an art form, it communicates emotions and ideas in a way that resonates deeply with the human spirit. Music can bring harmony where there is discord and understanding where there is misunderstanding, making it a powerful tool for peace and unity.


"I always say that music is a great healer, and this is something that I deeply believe in."

Zubin Mehta emphasizes that music holds a powerful therapeutic quality, capable of healing emotional, psychological, or physical wounds. The sentiment underscores the belief that music's inherent ability to evoke empathy, inspire, and comfort can bring solace and promote healing in various aspects of life.


"Conducting an orchestra is infinitely more difficult than playing one instrument. You have to unify everyone."

Zubin Mehta's quote emphasizes the complexities and challenges involved in conducting an orchestra, as compared to playing a single musical instrument. By stating that conducting is "infinitely more difficult," he suggests that coordinating multiple musicians requires a high level of skill and finesse. In an orchestra, each musician plays their part independently, but the magic lies in how they come together to produce harmonious music. The conductor's role, as Mehta implies, is crucial because it involves unifying these diverse individual talents into a cohesive whole. The conductor must have an intuitive understanding of each instrument and its capabilities, and the ability to communicate that understanding to every musician in a way that allows them to play together seamlessly. In essence, Zubin Mehta's quote reflects the idea that bringing unity and harmony out of diversity and complexity is one of the most challenging yet rewarding aspects of leadership, whether in music or other areas of life.


"Music should reach the heart, not just the ears or the intellect."

This quote emphasizes that music serves a purpose beyond mere auditory enjoyment or intellectual appreciation. Zubin Mehta suggests that true musical impact transcends our senses and stirs emotions deep within us, reaching directly into our hearts. In essence, he asserts that powerful music is capable of evoking profound feelings and connecting people on an emotional level, thereby enriching our lives.


"I am a very emotional person and I conduct with my heart."

This quote suggests that renowned conductor Zubin Mehta approaches his work with deep emotion, allowing his feelings to guide his performances. In other words, he leads orchestras not just with technical precision but also with a genuine emotional resonance, which is an inspiring approach to expressing and interpreting music.


I would convert to Judaism if the operation didn't hurt so much.

- Zubin Mehta

Operation, Judaism, Would, Convert

If North American musicians would only know how uncomfortable life is for European musicians.

- Zubin Mehta

How, Would, North, North American

I just want to play for Hindus and Muslims that sit together. That's all I want to do.

- Zubin Mehta

Play, Want, Muslims, Hindus

Open rehearsals reach people who might not otherwise hear the Philharmonic - people on fixed incomes, people who can't move easily at night, students.

- Zubin Mehta

Move, Otherwise, Incomes, Rehearsals

Just imagine, the thousands and thousands of concerts that take place every single day, all over the world. And the positive effect that they would have on the people listening. Now imagine a world without this. This void... it is unthinkable.

- Zubin Mehta

Listening, Over, Imagine, Unthinkable

In Bombay, we have a fine concert hall. I think it is high time we built venues in Delhi and Calcutta, not only for western music, but also Indian music. It doesn't matter which party is in power; don't you think the capital of India should have a concert hall?

- Zubin Mehta

Concert, I Think, Capital, Delhi

After conducting Wagner, Beethoven's triple concerto is like taking an Alka Seltzer.

- Zubin Mehta

Like, Triple, Wagner, Concerto

I'm hopeful that Israelis can go to Ramallah whenever they want and see how the people are living.

- Zubin Mehta

See, How, Whenever, Israelis

I wish that only three residents of Tel Aviv could see what conditions on the West Bank are like. Living in such proximity, most Israelis have no idea about the adversity on the West Bank.

- Zubin Mehta

Three, Idea, About, Israelis

I am always hearing from Israelis, 'Oh, CNN is anti-Israel,' or 'BBC is against us.' But no, they are reporting facts.

- Zubin Mehta

Always, CNN, BBC, Israelis

Most Arab Israelis speak Hebrew, but not the other way around. It's about time that changed.

- Zubin Mehta

Other, Most, About, Israelis

My father was a trained accountant, a BCom from Sydenham College and a self-taught violinist. In the 1920s, when he was in his teens, he heard a great violinist, Jascha Heifetz, and he was so inspired listening to him that he bought himself a violin, and with a little help from an Italian teacher, he learned to play it.

- Zubin Mehta

College, Play, 1920s, Self-Taught

Wagner's philosophy had absolutely nothing to do with Bruckner. Bruckner hadn't written a single word against Jews. Wagner's book on the Jews was one of the most infamous books of the 19th century.

- Zubin Mehta

Absolutely Nothing, Wagner, Single Word

I am jealous of all those people who live on the shore of Dal Lake.

- Zubin Mehta

I Am, Jealous, Shore, Lake

My family and relatives alone could fill Shanmukhananda Hall in Bombay.

- Zubin Mehta

Alone, Could, Bombay, Relatives

Israel gives the West Bank water twice a week! One way of promoting good would be not to ration water.

- Zubin Mehta

Week, Promoting, West Bank, Twice A Week

I respect the Indian government for the fact that there are no settlements in Kashmir.

- Zubin Mehta

Government, Settlements, Indian

Indian hotels are doing well globally because they understand hospitality.

- Zubin Mehta

Doing, Hotels, Globally, Indian

I think conductors do spend too little time with their orchestras.

- Zubin Mehta

Think, I Think, Too, Conductors

Go to the young conductors who are not making it, and you will hear how we shouldn't push ourselves or sell ourselves, how they don't have the right connections and the right opportunities. Well, you can be sure they've had the opportunities.

- Zubin Mehta

Young, Making, Sure, Conductors

I miss the standard of the New York Philharmonic's playing very much. It has certainly been a high point in my life.

- Zubin Mehta

My Life, New, Standard, High Point

It seems always to have been difficult to have been a New York Philharmonic conductor because of the nature of New York. We are in direct competition with the great orchestras in the world who come to play in our hall or in Carnegie, and we are constantly compared. I think that 's a good thing.

- Zubin Mehta

Play, Been, I Think, Carnegie

All these people who scream about Kashmir being an armed camp are in fact responsible for keeping it that way.

- Zubin Mehta

Fact, About, Keeping, Camp

I feel that the critic and music director should have such a good relationship they can pick up the phone and call each other any time.

- Zubin Mehta

Director, Feel, Other, Music Director

The private sector is growing so incredibly in India, in every city you have industries for whom building a concert hall would be nothing financially. But they just don't do it.

- Zubin Mehta

Private, Private Sector, Financially

I am often critical of Israel's policies when in the country, but then feel defensive of them when overseas.

- Zubin Mehta

Country, Policies, Critical, Defensive

I sometimes feel it is to my disadvantage that I have not conducted the Cleveland Orchestra or the Boston or Chicago symphonies, but then I have had to sacrifice something in order to have enough time with my orchestras.

- Zubin Mehta

Boston, Disadvantage, Cleveland

I'm a pucca Indian. Bombay is my home.

- Zubin Mehta

Home, Bombay, Indian

I am an Indian, so I do yoga.

- Zubin Mehta

I Am, Yoga, Am, Indian

I've known Pinchas Zukerman since he was a teenager.

- Zubin Mehta

He, Known, Since, Teenager

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