What do conductors do?

[verismissimo]

Article by Ivan Hewett:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/classicalmusic/10782663/What-do-conductors-do.html

[Ariosto]

Interesting article. I agree with some of these comments but in my very limited experience, the conductors that make a big show are the least musical. Someone like Goodall could do it almost invisibly, and yet the audience were always experiencing a high, from the unique shape he gave to the music. And they loved it when he shouted at the singers!

[gurnemanz]

Not a totally trivial comparison, I hope, but it seems to me that like a football manager, the conductor's main work has already been done on the training ground and what is done on the night is mostly up to the performers, whatever gesticulatory input is offered on the night from the touchline - much of which is playing to the gallery. Of course, the conductor has the disadvantage of not being able to bring on substitutes in cases of under-performance by individual team members or headbutting anyone who causes annoyance.

[Thropplenoggin]

In answer to the thead's title: in Rattle's case, interfere.

[Ariosto]

In answer to the thead's title: in Rattle's case, interfere.

You mean like Max Clifford?

[Bryn]

Interesting article. I agree with some of these comments but in my very limited experience, the conductors that make a big show are the least musical. Someone like Goodall could do it almost invisibly, and yet the audience were always experiencing a high, from the unique shape he gave to the music. And they loved it when he shouted at the singers!

You will also, no doubt, have noticed how a certain RN often just sat there and let the Stuttgarters get on with it while he listened and enjoyed their collective music making. There again, much work would have gone on during rehearsals.

[Ariosto]

You will also, no doubt, have noticed how a certain RN often just sat there and let the Stuttgarters get on with it while he listened and enjoyed their collective music making. There again, much work would have gone on during rehearsals.

Gosh, and I thought that was because he was deaf!

[Petrushka]

Good article and what wonderful words of wisdom from Haitink. Norman del Mar was fond of reminding why conductors are necessary when many composer's scores are littered with errors and ambiguities that need the conductor's adjudication. A conductor who really knows his scores can save valuable time in rehearsal.

[mercia]

radio 3 wonders what conductors do

http://www.bbc.co.uk/guides/zpn72hv