MATSUMOTO, Nagano Pref. -- "What does everyone think?"
There is silence. The maestro waits a few beats, and with perfect timing, he asks again, "What do you think?"
The reputation of world-renowned conductor Seiji Ozawa is daunting, as is his appearance, with his dramatically busy hair, thin, square shoulders and intense eyes. But he doesn't have to cow his musicians, including the more than 2,000 children he faces today, into doing what he wants. His charisma is unmistakable, drawing them out naturally and making them want to play inspired music.