Klarinet Archive - Posting 000621.txt from 1996/10

From: "Scott D. Morrow" <SDM@-----.EDU>
Subj: Re: Berlin Phil clarinetists?
Date: Fri, 25 Oct 1996 12:17:31 -0400

My view of conductors was mostly that they were there to "keep the beat"
and tell everyone where to stop. I would seldom look at a conductor (in
fact, I had one conductor who would make you crazy if you watched him,
because his tempo would change from note to note!) because I felt I could
feel the music well enough.

HOWEVER...

When I was in college, I attended an open rehearsal of the
Philadelphia Orchestra under Ricardo Muti (guest soloist: Isaac Stern!),
and was mesmerized by the conducting! My own limited experience never
prepared me for what a REAL conductor could do for an orchestra! I have to
admit, I watched Muti more than any of the performers! I was especially
impressed by how he would give "future" information to the players during
the piece: during a slow portion, he would suddenly turn towards the horns
and make a motion of pounding his fists violently in the air - twenty
seconds later, the horns would come in exactly like that! I was
mesmerized!
Needless to say, my opinion has changed! I do agree that there are
some conductors who are there to keep the podium from floating away, but
that is a sad case! As much as we joke about conductors, I truly believe
that large groups need good, focused, interpretive conductors to pull a
piece together: professional players may "know" the piece, but the danger
is that it will either come out sounding uninspired or as a battle of
interpretations! (I'm not even going to get into the all-important task of
balance!)

-Scott

Scott D. Morrow
Department of Biochemistry
School of Hygiene and Public Health
Johns Hopkins University
(410)-955-3631

SDM@-----.edu

   
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