Portrait of the artist: Marin Alsop, conductor

'The first review I got said: "We should think this person is talented, but we don't." I stayed in bed for two days'What was the first piece of music that inspired you?Brahms's String Sextet in B flat major. I was 12, and doing a chamber music camp in New York. As I walked past somebody's room, I heard this piece playing on a record player. I stopped and sat down outside this guy's door, and suddenly understood the emotional impact that music can have.What was your big breakthrough?My first sum...

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