 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: S.H.J.
Date: 2009-11-16 00:02
Something occured to me while I was conducting our school concert band a few days ago. Why have I not heard of any clarinetists becoming prominent conductors? Or any other woodwind and brass players, for that matter? Prominent instrumentalists such as Barenboim, Perlman, and Rostrovich have also become master conductors. I know that Stanley Drucker wanted to try conducting if he got a chance, but why can't he? He has as much musicality as Gilbert or Dudamel, and MUCH more experience than them. It doesn't have to be just about Drucker. He can't be the only clarinetist in the world that wants to have a shot at conducting. Is it merely because clarinetists aren't famous in the overall music scene, or something else?
Seok Hee Jang
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Author: LarryBocaner ★2017
Date: 2009-11-16 00:10
Been discussed here before. I cited Osmo Vanska and Colin Davis as clarinetist/conductors. Bob Marcellus and Alan Balter also had conducting careers, although not as exalted. Ernest Ansermet also played the clarinet, but not, as far as I know, professionally.
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Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2009-11-16 00:37
There aren't that many great conductors to begin with and one has to get the exposer and the breaks to build up a reputation as a conductor. I've actually known several clarinet players that because conductors but none have become famous enough yet to be known, or they've already died. It's not like a conductor gets sick and they ask the clarinetist to take over the last minute because he or she is needed to play their part. ESP http://eddiesclarinet.com
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Author: James Langdell
Date: 2009-11-16 03:23
Among San Francisco Symphony conductors, both Michael Tilson Thomas and Edo de Waart started out as working oboists.
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Author: EEBaum
Date: 2009-11-16 05:21
There's a big difference between "wants to have a shot", "has the chops to hold things together", "is good at it", and "is a person that people with money have decided should conduct". Really, the last one is twice as important as the others combined, as evidenced by some ghastly guest-hacks that I've seen take the podium, butcher classic repertoire, and get invited back the next season.
-Alex
www.mostlydifferent.com
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Author: George Taylor
Date: 2009-11-16 08:47
The word around London at the moment is that Michael Collins will be announced as Chief Conductor of the City of London Sinfonia this week! Apparently he will be sharing duties with a choral conductor. I think this is a great appointment, such a musician deserves to be able to express himself with different repertoire if he feels comfortable with it.
Hopefully the rumours are true....
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Author: cigleris
Date: 2009-11-16 11:07
What a great rumor, though i've not heard it from anyone in the profession. I knew Michael was moving into the directing route but only when he's also the soloist. Good luck to him
Peter Cigleris
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Author: George Taylor
Date: 2009-11-16 11:56
I've heard it from players in one of the BBC orchestras and from various students at the Royal Academy, so I'm fairly sure it is good information. I can't wait to see his programming.
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Author: leporellina
Date: 2009-11-18 16:31
Hi,
I've been reading for a while in the forum and decided it's time to participate in your inspiring discussion. Hello to everyone from Austria!
As I'm fairly new to the clarinet - I just have started to play 16 months ago and added an A-clarinet to my B only last weekend - I will rather be a questioner in the beginning.
Nevertheless, I'd like to add Karlheinz Steffens, Berlin Philharmonic clarinetist till 2007, to the list of clarinet/conductors.
Katja
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Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2009-11-18 17:23
I used to conduct a clarinet choir when I taught at Towson University for over 30 years, does that count? I didn't think so.
There is someone named Chelsea Tipton who studied one summer with me and I believe went on to Eastman as a clarinet major. He conducted our BSO at a pops and youth concert last year. We'll have to see where his career goes. ESP
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Author: Joarkh
Date: 2009-11-18 20:15
One of Norway's top conductors, Ole Kristian Ruud (perhaps especially well known for his recordings of Grieg orchestral works with the Bergen Philharmonic) is also a clarinetist.
Joar
Clarinet and saxophone teacher, clarinet freelancer
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