Me and Andris

For those who do not know him, I think Andris is a genius. He is the new conductor of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra and last night I went to see him on his debut as music director.
It was my debut as well. My first classical concert, and I am well past 30 (18 years past it.....).
Now I find that admission a bit embarrassing - particularly as the evening was sponsored by my hosts, Mitchells and Butler - but I am happy to make it because I think it made a remarkable night even more memorable.
Not having seen such an event before, I didn't even know any of the etiquette. The lead violinist (Laurence Jackson) is regarded as the second in line to the conductor, so the orchestra assembled, then welcomed the lead violinist, then welcomed its new star.
I have never seen anything like it. Nelsons is adored by his orchestra from the first flick of the baton. He lurches and crouches and lunges to bring the best out of them. He turns them into animals one moment, and whispering children the next, leaning so far out towards them that you think he is going to grab the bow from a violinist two rows back and play a few notes himself.
Has classical music always been like this? I thought it was all black ties and revered murmurs. But Andris is a rock star. He brings the purest sounds out of people - not out of a £10,000 stereo system, but actual people sitting there with wood and strings and brass in their hands who you would pass in the street a hundred times a day.
But now he insists they transform and is almost screaming at them "You see? I knew you could make that noise!". Now he is on tiptoe, the baton held by its final inch pointing to the ceiling of the breathtaking Symphony Hall as he tears another crescendo from ten floors below him up through the roof. A lightning conductor.
I have never had an evening quite like it but I have a problem. I am split between feeling that I will never hear
a better sound in my life - and therefore should end my relationship with classical music on the same night it began. Or...that I never want another week to pass without me hearing a genius conducting geniuses.
I think the second argument will win.