 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: Mohammeddisto
Date: 2003-06-09 15:09
How does one usually determine how great a conductor is? What are some attributes of a "maestro?"
also, how do these conducting competitions work?
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: William
Date: 2003-06-09 15:56
At the professional level, it is most important to be a musician first. All sorts of subsequent ability requirements then follow--technique, ellouquence, personal management and relations, etc.
At the school levels, the maestro must also be an effective and knowledgealbe teacher (in addition to any above considerations).
I feel that it is easier to become "the maestro" at the professional level where all of your ensemble members are virtuosic musicians already and do not need to be recruited, motivated, supervised and taught.
I have often wondered how successful Toscanini would have been teaching middle school orchestra for a year..................(hmmmmmm)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Synonymous Botch
Date: 2003-06-09 17:02
Why do you suppose his hair looked like that?
Worse, when Horowitz married his daughter, he endured hours of keyboard pounding at home...
At least from the podium people did as he directed!
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: johng ★2017
Date: 2003-06-09 17:19
I believe it is the efficiency through which electricity can pass through them.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: BobD
Date: 2003-06-09 17:23
But first who decides? Critics and the press may tag a conductor as great and sometimes those who play under him may agree. If both sides agree then he is probably truly great. Toscanini was great because few critics or players disagreed with him. Poor Horowitz succumbed to his greatness.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: msloss
Date: 2003-06-09 17:30
Musicianship and respect.
A great maestro, regardless of style (tyrant, velvet fist, pussy cat) is one who can elicit the best and most musical performance from the ensemble under direction.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Liquorice
Date: 2003-06-09 17:32
I agree with johng. A super conductor will conduct electricity without resistance below a certain temperature.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Liquorice
Date: 2003-06-09 17:41
Oh sorry, you didn't mean THAT kind of conductor. I guess a great conductor is one who makes sure that everyone has paid their fare on the bus?
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Ralph G
Date: 2003-06-09 17:51
Or the one who yells "All aboard!" the best.
________________
Artistic talent is a gift from God and whoever discovers it in himself has a certain obligation: to know that he cannot waste this talent, but must develop it.
- Pope John Paul II
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: GBK
Date: 2003-06-09 18:01
In the eyes of the public? His box office appeal.
In the eyes of the management? If he gets the butts in the seats ...GBK
Post Edited (2003-06-09 18:07)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: BobD
Date: 2003-06-10 15:26
I have my personal feelings about what a great conductor is and fortunately I have played under a few. My great conductors were men who inspired me to try to do my best either on a personal basis or collectively with the group.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: JMcAulay
Date: 2003-06-10 17:35
William advises: "I feel that it is easier to become 'the maestro' at the professional level where all of your ensemble members are virtuosic musicians already and do not need to be recruited, motivated, supervised and taught."
I would tend to disagree with you, William. Although I have never had the honor of conducting a group of top professional musicians, I have directed the activities of other high-level professionals. The needs you recite are as important for the best as well as the mediocre. Those who are superior tend to be leaders more than they are followers, which can create friction. The most outstanding work may not come from the less experienced, but they are more likely to take direction without squawking.
There is a story about a young conductor who was rehearsing with a great orchestra, giving a number of uncommon instructions. Finally one of the players said, "If you don't shut up, we'll really play it your way."
I think Herbert von Karajan was a great conductor. Unlike most arm-wavers, he looked almost comatose on the podium.
Regards,
John
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: BobD
Date: 2003-06-10 17:43
Another vignette involving a young conductor appears in the movie "The Red Shoes".....
In my opinion, Beecham had the right philosophy on conducting....
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: D Dow
Date: 2003-06-11 02:29
Very few orchestras can play at the level of inspired without a GREAT conductor. A special kind of genius is required to make even groups like Berlin Phil and Cleveland sound at their peak.
Having worked under Jochum, Kubelik and a few other gifted conductors, I will say a great conductor brings inspiration not only to the piece but every single player on stage.
Sadly, few players have experienced this. I am also fortunate to have worked a great deal under a total conducting genius as a Principal clarinet and can say a fine conductor will make you reach heights you never thought musically obtainable!!!(not technical)
A smart or glib attitude is one thing, but I know when I saw Karajan conduct many years ago I was mesmerized! I heard things in the score come out in technicolour. There are very few people like this today.
I also know orchestras world over are looking for The Great One so to speak, because a fine conductor is a true artist in every sense of the word.
I have been working professionally for over 20 years and can say an orchestra cannot live or breathe without the inspiration of a fine conductor....to define these qualities is like trying to define a sunset but here it goes...
GREAT Conducting is
1. Someone who knows the music and exactly what they are going to do with it.
then they do it and the musicians can make music
2/ Great conducting is when the music is natural and balanced correctly
A good conductor achieves this with " listening" and adjusting".
A great conductor understands the importance of "style".
3. All great conductors work at bringing the best out their players...
4, All great conductors must be able to get their ideas across through movement and gesture....sounds easy but incredibly tough
5. All conductors who are great communicate the greatness of the music they are doing through their prescence alone!
6. Great conductors inspire great effort on the musicians part without them ever knowing....
7. Great conductors get the most in the least amount of time...and them some!
8. Great conductors inspire and earn respect.
9. Great conductors make players love music and desire the same results and themselves....
10. Great conductors have an ability to hypnotise.
David Dow
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: BobD
Date: 2003-06-11 12:23
David, I totally agree, and wish I had had the opportunity to play under Kubelik. Sadly, I'm not that calibre player.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
