In 1988 I was invited to conduct a Beethoven programme at Lincoln Center in New York with the Orchestra of St Lukes. Some of the players had been working with me at the Boston Early Music Festival and rather insisted that the eccentric manager, Michael Feldman, book me as soon as possible.

The name St Lukes, curious for a non-religious organisation containing many talented Jews, came simply from the church where they gave their first concerts.

The leading chamber orchestra in New York, it’s a formidable group, highly talented and with immense energy. The programme for the concert was Beethoven Symphonies 8 and 9. I well remember a late rehearsal when I suggested that they take it easy, saving energy for the general next day. Not a chance; they just took off, almost leaving me behind. That was their style.

The concert was quite a success, and the orchestra immediately asked me to be their first Music Director, starting in 1990. As MD, and subsequently as a guest, over 20 years we gave a fine series of 33 concerts together, in Lincoln Center, and in their now regular home of Carnegie Hall. I tended to offer single-composer programmes; all-Schumann, all-Brahms, all-Tchaikovsky etc. A notable occasion was the world premiere of my friend Nicholas Maw’s Violin Concerto, with Joshua Bell. I had arranged this joint commission with St Lukes and the London Philharmonic, with whom I subsequently recorded the work. One of my final concerts was Beethoven’s Missa Solemnis; a lovely occasion, and the last time of many that I conducted this overwhelming masterpiece.

Our last meeting was at a banquet in my honour, when we played a little and remembered a lot.