Why the conductor matters

[marty]

One thing that's very clear is the guy is having fun!
Looking forward to him conducting the NY Phil in 2025

 

[jeffreybehr]

"Why the conductor matters" indeed.​

 

[Mike Lavigne]

i figured this was a high level 'Marty' no-holds bared Rhodium vs. Silver vs. Copper commentary.

 

[spiritofmusic]

Don't forget "no conductor", best summed up as having an "anarchic" SQ.
Ideally paired w Nothing Racks.

 

[Kingsrule]

i figured this was a high level 'Marty' no-holds bared Rhodium vs. Silver vs. Copper commentary.

Me too!

 

[GSOphile]

Another great one - Harnoncourt rehearsing the COE:

.

 

[tima]

When the conductor looks at you, you better be looking back.
Timing is integral to music. The conductor is the orchestra's clock.

 

[marty]

When the conductor looks at you, you better be looking back.
Timing is integral to music. The conductor is the orchestra's clock.

I agree with you but after years of concert going one of my main take aways is that the respect an orchestra has, particularly for guest conductors, is how much eye contact the musicians make with the conductor. For some pieces, especially "war horses", they hardly look up at all. It's as if they are on autopilot like they are saying "we don't need no stinkin' conductor, we know how to play this piece". But with great conductors and their bands, musicians watching the conductor's hands is critical. It's one of the reasons I go to concerts or watch concerts on TV as this part of the art just can't be appreciated otherwise.

 

[tonytsui]

The Berlin Phil's various sections not only have eye contact with the conductor but with other sections too

 

[tima]

I agree with you but after years of concert going one of my main take aways is that the respect an orchestra has, particularly for guest conductors, is how much eye contact the musicians make with the conductor. For some pieces, especially "war horses", they hardly look up at all. It's as if they are on autopilot like they are saying "we don't need no stinkin' conductor, we know how to play this piece". But with great conductors and their bands, musicians watching the conductor's hands is critical. It's one of the reasons I go to concerts or watch concerts on TV as this part of the art just can't be appreciated otherwise.

I see it a little differently from the musician's angle. Typically what you say can be true, but that's because the conductor is not looking at you Ms First Flute. You don't see it from the audience. The conductor, resident or guest, looks at you when you have a solo or an emphasis or a tempo change to play. When you do not have a 'special' part or you're playing an accompaniment there is not much reason for the conductor to look at you. He is busy elsewhere. You are both reading the same score and you have rehearsed. You see his hands but you watch his eyes and baton at the approach, maybe two beats ahead.. The conductor does not direct by rote and you don't play by rote -- you play on cue. Perhaps more important with a guest conductor because you do not know him or his interpretation except through rehearsal. You both know the part is coming and both communicate. Miss a cue more than once and you'll hear about it from your section leader or the concert master.

 

[marty]

I see it a little differently from the musician's angle. Typically what you say can be true, but that's because the conductor is not looking at you Ms First Flute. You don't see it from the audience. The conductor, resident or guest, looks at you when you have a solo or an emphasis or a tempo change to play. When you do not have a 'special' part or you're playing an accompaniment there is not much reason for the conductor to look at you. He is busy elsewhere. You are both reading the same score and you have rehearsed. You see his hands but you watch his eyes and baton at the approach, maybe two beats ahead.. The conductor does not direct by rote and you don't play by rote -- you play on cue. Perhaps more important with a guest conductor because you do not know him or his interpretation except through rehearsal. You both know the part is coming and both communicate. Miss a cue more than once and you'll hear about it from your section leader or the concert master.

Excellent insight. Much appreciated for teaching me that.

 

[tima]

Excellent insight. Much appreciated for teaching me that.

Certainly. I appreciate that you are observant, like to watch and enjoy music being made. It is fun to see the musicians play their instruments and interact with enthusiasm. The functioning of all together, led by the conductor, moving forward with common intent while playing amazing compositions is a true joy.

 

[GSOphile]

The Berlin Phil's various sections not only have eye contact with the conductor but with other sections too

Except perhaps when Karajan was conducting with his eyes closed.

 

[zerostargeneral]

Schumann - Symphony n°2 - Cleveland / Szell 1958 - YouTube

 

[the sound of Tao]

The Berlin Phil's various sections not only have eye contact with the conductor but with other sections too

I thought it originally was so they could check if Klemperer’s hands were moving at all. Near the end the great man was like a giant mountain. His control was like a force of will.

 

[zerostargeneral]

George Szell & Wiener Philharmoniker - Orchestra Concert of 1966 Wiener Festwochen (youtube.com)

 

[tima]

Schumann - Symphony n°2 - Cleveland / Szell 1958 - YouTube

Wow. I like that !

Szell and the Clevelanders. Thank you for that. So many great perfromances. I know him mostly for his Sibelius or with Fleischer. The Tube says studio recording. I double checked and as I suspected that studio was Severance Hall in Cleveland Ohio -- if it was Cleveland how could it not be. A gorgeous hall.

 

[DasguteOhr]

I love Ansermet performance not so romantic, more like an old school conductor. The Decca/London recordings sound fantastic. The birth of stereo recordings.here

P.S
Great recording too

 

[zerostargeneral]

Josef Hofmann plays Beethoven "Moonlight" Sonata (complete -- live, 1936) (youtube.com)

What a rubato, the Hofmann section is completed in the archive finally.

Kindest and thankful regards,G.

 

[zerostargeneral]

Dearest Tima,

Szell's foray into the second has become my canon.

Kindest regards,G.