I believe so, but at first he must know. He must know in which spirit Beethoven has composed this piece. He must try to study that. And he must find out in which station of life of Beethoven he did.

In 2001 Kurt Masur became an Honorary Member of the Royal Academy of Music. The critical consensus is that Masur improved the playing of the orchestra compared to his more pliable and forbearing predecessor. His performances draw a wide range of reviews.