He was chief conductor of the Kirov Opera from 1977 to 1988, then became principal conductor of the St. Petersburg Philharmonic Orchestra (originally the Leningrad Philharmonic Orchestra) from 1988 to 1992. From 1978 he conducted the British Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, becoming principal conductor in 1992 and leaving to be appointed Conductor Laureate in 1998. Since 2000 he has directed the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra.