Do Conductors Have A Shelf Life?

[Dave2002]

The reviews of his Concerts and recordings of the BRO core repretoire were decidedly mixed. As far as pushing the boundaries, he probably has done that more than Abbado and that will be viewed as the positive part of his legacy.

So - what do reviewers know? Some may be the very people that Simon R is trying to drag into the modern age. It looks as though we'll get a chance for a reassessment when he comes back to perform in London with the LSO.

[Ferretfancy]

Beecham was lucky to get pretty good recordings towards the end of his career, and gave fine performances to the end, as did Barbirolli and notably Pierre Monteux
Ironically, both Beecham and Barbirolli made Ein Heldenleben their last recordings in the studio.
I'd like to mention the supreme longevity of Stokowski, no falling of there ! ( Unless you think that of his entire output, which I do not )

You could easily turn the discussion on its head. What would have happened in the careers of Cantelli, Kertesz and Fricsay ? I don't think genius is interested in age, it strikes where it chooses.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Ironically, both Beecham and Barbirolli made Ein Heldenleben their last recordings in the studio.

You are most probably correct, though I've always though Delius's Appalachia was Barbirolli's last studio recording.

[HighlandDougie]

Having greatly enjoyed concerts conducted by Mariss Jansons with both of his current orchestras, I cannot agree with Richard's contention that he has somehow passed his sell-by date. As for recordings, I would cite his Beethoven cycle, his Britten War Reguiem, Honegger 3rd, Mahler 3rd (in Munich) etc etc. I also heard him give a great performance of Mahler's 5th with the Pittsburgh SO when he was its principal conductor which was as good as any I've ever heard.

[richardfinegold]

Hi, HD. Well, I can't claim the in concert experience, only the discographic one. I have bought to many ho hum Jansons recordings in the past few years. I used to really like him, having heard him a few times in Pittsburgh when I was doing a month long visitng clerkship there, but his recordings have left me cold. None of them are actually bad, but just once I would like to see some real Artistic Combustion occur. Perhaps the live experience still has the magic.

[HighlandDougie]

I'd say try the Britten War Requiem but, if his RCO/LSO/Bavarian RSO recordings don't engage you, then maybe he's a lost cause. I rather feel the same way about Charles Dutoit whom I habitually find just a bit dull these days.

[Dave2002]

Hi, HD. Well, I can't claim the in concert experience, only the discographic one. I have bought to many ho hum Jansons recordings in the past few years. I used to really like him, having heard him a few times in Pittsburgh when I was doing a month long visitng clerkship there, but his recordings have left me cold. None of them are actually bad, but just once I would like to see some real Artistic Combustion occur. Perhaps the live experience still has the magic.

Some conductors seem very different in live concerts than in recordings. Age may also be a factor. Many years ago I saw this Italian guy on TV conducting Mozart - brilliant. Solti. Then he turned to Wagner and recordings - mostly I found his performances, though raved about by various critics, not terribly inspiring. Eventually I heard him in a live concert - and the sparkle seemed to come back. Could have just been me, but I think that some musicians really do respond to a live concert occasion, while others perhaps prefer to make recordings.

[Ferretfancy]

You are most probably correct, though I've always though Delius's Appalachia was Barbirolli's last studio recording.

I think I was wrong about the Barbirolli Heldenleben, though I'm sure it came very late. I love Appalachia, and it's a fine performance isn't it?

[Petrushka]

I think I was wrong about the Barbirolli Heldenleben, though I'm sure it came very late. I love Appalachia, and it's a fine performance isn't it?

Just to clear it up. Barbirolli recorded Ein Heldenleben in September 1969. He was recording Appalachia on July 15-17 1970. He died on July 28 1970.

[verismissimo]

I don't think that Levine has conducted very much in the past few years due to multiple health problems.
I think that Rattle's Berlin tenure had mixed results. The reviews of his Concerts and recordings of the BRO core repretoire were decidedly mixed. As far as pushing the boundaries, he probably has done that more than Abbado and that will be viewed as the positive part of his legacy.

Definitely think you can add not only Klemperer, but also Karajan to your fine list, rfg.

[Barbirollians]

I love Bernstein's late Tchaikovsky 6 not for everyday but that slow finale is immensely moving .

[gurnemanz]

Without thinking about it too deeply, I have always had the impression that conducting was actually one of the jobs which did allow you to keep going at a good level into old age - along with painting. Picasso went on and on and was even more daring and productive when he became impotent at 84 after a prostate operation.

[seabright]

This thread reminded me of a 1993 TV documentary entitled "Everything you wanted to know about conductors ... but were afraid to ask." The tone is set at the outset when an anonymous orchestral player says "It's got to be the world's most charlatan profession." Among the interviewees were Maazel, Solti, Mehta, Salonen, Welser-Most, Jansons and Tenstedt, alongside critics and writers like Norman Lebrecht and Hugh Canning, the latter revealing his incredulity at Sinopoli's appointment to the Philharmonia post. Karajan's biographer is on hand to discuss HvK's incipient Nazism (cut to shots of KvK interspersed with footage from Nuremburg rallies) while Leonard Slatkin admits that getting paid $10,000 a night is a very good way to make a living. Fascinating viewing! ...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=51WX3yzTML0

[richardfinegold]

Without thinking about it too deeply, I have always had the impression that conducting was actually one of the jobs which did allow you to keep going at a good level into old age - along with painting. Picasso went on and on and was even more daring and productive when he became impotent at 84 after a prostate operation.

I had inhaled the shiboleth unquestioningly, and have begun to question it recently. Picasso was a Creative Artist, not a re creative one, so I am not sure if the analogy means much. To many Conductors seem to span their last years trying to match or exceed their earlier work (Karajan) and come up short, imo.

[richardfinegold]

This thread reminded me of a 1993 TV documentary entitled "Everything you wanted to know about conductors ... but were afraid to ask." The tone is set at the outset when an anonymous orchestral player says "It's got to be the world's most charlatan profession." Among the interviewees were Maazel, Solti, Mehta, Salonen, Welser-Most, Jansons and Tenstedt, alongside critics and writers like Norman Lebrecht and Hugh Canning, the latter revealing his incredulity at Sinopoli's appointment to the Philharmonia post. Karajan's biographer is on hand to discuss HvK's incipient Nazism (cut to shots of KvK interspersed with footage from Nuremburg rallies) while Leonard Slatkin admits that getting paid $10,000 a night is a very good way to make a living. Fascinating viewing! ...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=51WX3yzTML0

I am not questioning the value of a Conductor...just whether they truly improve with age, ad infinitum