A nice piece in The Age about Vladimir Jurowski, conductor of the London Philharmonic Orchestra, who apparently finds some inspiration in Taoism. A key graf:
Jurowski has always been inclined towards matters spiritual – he
spent his first student grant in Russia on a Bible he bought from
an illegal street trader. He has found a perfect fit for his mature
world view in Taoism, the study of which he says has transformed
his life. ''I think it has changed my attitude to being rather than
striving for anything,'' he says. Of course, there is striving –
for Jurowski, there is surely little else – but it isn't aimed at a
visible goal. The way is its own destination. ''The river is the
goal, to quote Siddhartha.''
spent his first student grant in Russia on a Bible he bought from
an illegal street trader. He has found a perfect fit for his mature
world view in Taoism, the study of which he says has transformed
his life. ''I think it has changed my attitude to being rather than
striving for anything,'' he says. Of course, there is striving –
for Jurowski, there is surely little else – but it isn't aimed at a
visible goal. The way is its own destination. ''The river is the
goal, to quote Siddhartha.''
Siddhartha is, of course, a Buddhist story, but the notion of not striving has a Taoist ring to it, as does this:
In a profession where a Napoleonic ego usually seems to be both
first requirement and guiding spirit, this is surprising. Jurowski
doesn't even like to be watched. In the pit at Glyndebourne he
contrives to be unseen by most of the audience. ''That is the
situation in which I feel my best, when the audience is there but
the gaze is not cast at us.'' Before the interview, I'm told quite
specifically that he doesn't want to be addressed as
''maestro''.
first requirement and guiding spirit, this is surprising. Jurowski
doesn't even like to be watched. In the pit at Glyndebourne he
contrives to be unseen by most of the audience. ''That is the
situation in which I feel my best, when the audience is there but
the gaze is not cast at us.'' Before the interview, I'm told quite
specifically that he doesn't want to be addressed as
''maestro''.
An unseen conductor – sounds like Way.
And he certainly makes beautiful music:
The Useless Tree 
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