In 1992, aged 16, I spent my summer playing with the European Community Youth Orchestra conducted by Carlo Maria Giulini. We played Beethoven’s 9th Symphony in Luzern, Amsterdam, Luxembourg and Munich. My musical life suddenly changed. Giulini became my hero, my mentor. I began to collect his recordings, go to all his concerts in Paris. Playing for him and with him was a very deep inspiration. His authority in rehearsal, his devotion to music, his respect to the musicians was an example. Till now, I keep these concerts with him as a treasure. He made me realise that a musician is nothing if not a good person. His faith touched me very deeply. He was an example of humility. His life was devoted to his family and music. His repertoire was not huge, but he needed to be in love with a piece to play and record it. He was a wonderful human being: kind, generous, elegant. And one of the purest musicians who ever existed. His recordings made with his "dear orchestras "(Wiener Philharmoniker, Chicago, Los Angeles Philharmonic, Berlin Phil) are a testimony to this great musician.
Here are my favourites of Giulini: a Musician and a Man Who changed my life: