Well the Proms has come around and this has me thinking about the conductor, for me I can appreciate that the conductor is critical for "shaping" what is played, but to me this is done when they practice with the orchestra.
However, when it comes to the baton and hand waving, do you feel this is critical, and importantly when going to a live concert is this something that you look at or prefer to focus on the orchestra/close the eyes/etc.
I think I could live without that flapping/facial expressions/hand gestures/etc, seems to me when watching Proms on the television the musicians are more focused on the score rather than the conductor (who has already trained them to play the music how he wants IMO).
So is the conductor part of your experience when going to a live show or a distraction?
Cheers
Orb
However, when it comes to the baton and hand waving, do you feel this is critical, and importantly when going to a live concert is this something that you look at or prefer to focus on the orchestra/close the eyes/etc.
I think I could live without that flapping/facial expressions/hand gestures/etc, seems to me when watching Proms on the television the musicians are more focused on the score rather than the conductor (who has already trained them to play the music how he wants IMO).
So is the conductor part of your experience when going to a live show or a distraction?
Cheers
Orb