In an interview published today in the London Times, Daniel Harding (whom we announced yesterday as the next music director of the Orchestre de Paris), admits that it has not all been plain sailing.

Harding, 39, tells Richard Morrison: ‘I first conducted the Orchestre de Paris 20 years ago, and it was one of the three or four worst experiences of my career. They are well aware of that too, but we are very different now. I went back recently and found an ensemble that gives a lie to the cliché about what French orchestras are like….

‘One of its players’ greatest strengths is an awareness of what they could become, and a desire to do it. When I rehearsed them last year I found that every time I pushed harder they wanted more. I was just a guest conductor. I had no inkling then that they were looking for a music director, but people who come to you and say ‘we love that you are making demands’ are the sort of musicians I want to work with.’

Harding’s appointment will be officially announced today. Full interview here (firewall).