I refer, of course, to that chap, usually dressed in an evening suit, who stands up in front of an orchestra and indulges in a sort of St. Vitus' dance as the musicians belt out the music! What, one wonders, does he actually do? It is an age old question as Mr. Terry Teachout, who knows where-of he writes, asks in a fascinating article over Commentary Magazine. A question, incidentally, to which I, who could not tell you the difference between a chord and a cadenza, would find it impossible to hazard a reply.
In essence, so I gather, the right hand holding the stick controls the speed and the other hand influences those indefinable parts of the music that sometimes defy description. Needles to say, I gather that were one to lock three conductors in a room to agree on what conductors are for, they would re-emerge with four (minimum) theories! As far as I am concerned, I find music, well, most music, as fascinating as quantum physics, and I understand about as much of one as I do of the other! But I urge you to read Mr. Teachout's essay, it is knowledgeable and fascinating.
A friend of mine, who is a successful composer and arranger, once told me the secret to conducting:
When the musicians stop playing, stop waving your arms.
Posted by: Malcolm Pollack | Wednesday, 20 December 2017 at 18:40
Good advice, Malcolm!
Posted by: David Duff | Wednesday, 20 December 2017 at 18:54
David, "It is an age old question"?
We've been through this before, where's your memory man?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9vHxicn3Ttw
There now, remember?
Posted by: JK | Wednesday, 20 December 2017 at 20:04
That's a wonderful video, JK. Thanks. Onto the blog it goes!
Posted by: Malcolm Pollack | Wednesday, 20 December 2017 at 20:24
Dammit, JK, I've told you before, I keep putting my memory down and forgetting where! Anyway, I absolutely do not remember that video but I am truly grateful for it, so thank you.
Posted by: David Duff | Wednesday, 20 December 2017 at 21:25
David, "I absolutely do not remember that video."
As it was so far back as 2014 I suppose that's a reasonable "time slippage" leastwise considerin' your advanced ...
decrepitudeknowledge of so much erraticism I suppose that can be overlooked.Here's how you thanked me then:
"Thanks, JK, I'm sure I've seen that before but it was worth a second look."
The third time David I'm informed, is the charm.
http://duffandnonsense.typepad.com/duff_nonsense/2014/05/a-musical-interlude.html?cid=6a00d8341c5caf53ef01a3fd0152f0970b#comment-6a00d8341c5caf53ef01a3fd0152f0970b
Merry Christmas David. All Y'all Merry Christmas!
Posted by: JK | Thursday, 21 December 2017 at 01:13
Interesting article. Glad to see it emphasises the importance of rehearsal and preparation. The BBC show Maestro really annoyed me as it seemed to indicate that anyone could conduct with the minimum of preparation. One conductor (I forget who - this forgetfulness is contagious) tested his students by requiring them to conduct without a score a work they had been studying and would ask searching questions out of the blue during it.
Posted by: mike fowle | Thursday, 21 December 2017 at 08:25
JK, I have no need for a memory when I have you! Incidentally, I see that it was during that exchange that I promoted you to Head Archivist! Christmas good wishes to you, too, but keep the hell away from Barney Magroo otherwise you might not wake up until Easter!
Posted by: David Duff | Thursday, 21 December 2017 at 08:37
Thanks for both the article and video. Another way to see a conductor is as analogous to the coach of a sports team. Muti also showed his great sense of humor when, as director of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, he wrote and performed an orchestral version of Chicago's ice hockey team's goal theme:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PsqhND8eIEs
Posted by: Bob | Thursday, 21 December 2017 at 16:28
It’s always said that Bernstein’s jump to fame came when he was a last minute stand-in for the conductor he assisted. I always wondered what that meant. Did he really do anything? Supposedly the papers were filled with remarks about “his genius”. Surely that was the main conductors genius on show.
Posted by: Dom | Thursday, 21 December 2017 at 16:50
David.
Actually, it was back in 2010 you appointed me to the office.
(By the way - I hope - you notice I've closed my italics?!!!
No requirement a'tall fer you to go spreading malicious aspersions such as you did above to my friend Malcolm. None whatsoever.
Dom takes care of that sure enough!)
Posted by: JK | Thursday, 21 December 2017 at 21:24
Oops.
Yeah sure of course David you'll be pointing out, I did no such thing JK as toward my little error "directing" [get it? apropo of this post in case you further accuse me of being "off-topic" again.
http://duffandnonsense.typepad.com/duff_nonsense/2017/12/mutti-merkel-plans-to-invade-poland-.html?cid=6a00d8341c5caf53ef01b7c93ead9f970b#comment-6a00d8341c5caf53ef01b7c93ead9f970b
Mustn't fool around with the ol' Chief Archivist mustn't we David?
Posted by: JK | Thursday, 21 December 2017 at 21:31
Eh, Bob?
That'ern was a fair hoot! Altho I'll admit to bein' a little loath to watch the thing in the first place ... hockey for one, Chicago just generally bein' t'other.
In'trestin' though as I say if only because, well, watchin' Muti carryin' on "as a conductor" - arms on the podium, lookin' back at the audience - pert near made conclusive as he'd said to teach that pole-eese feller back in Eyetalya.
Posted by: JK | Friday, 22 December 2017 at 00:36
JK, maybe you'll admit Chicago isn't either Sodom or Gomorrah? I don't care for hockey either, especially the "ice" part. That's why I'm living 150 miles south nowadays.
Posted by: Bob | Friday, 22 December 2017 at 16:25