Deano wrote:
Hello horn folk,
I realise it's an emotive subject for those of us who have suffered at the hands of incompetent and discourteous megalomaniacs, as well as enjoying the rare opportunity to make music with a sensitive and competent musician, but what do we think of conductors and their influence/interpretations?
I've just finished studying a number of DVD archives of famous maestros of the past as I have my first orchestral conducting engagement later this year (I must say the only 'big name' I was impressed with was Sir Thomas Beecham "...Composers should write tunes that chauffeurs and errand boys can whistle"). When I was playing professionally I rather immaturely believed that ALL conductors were a very expensive waste of space, and I hated them prejudicially and without mercy.
As I grow greyer and (one hopes) wiser, I see a great deal of value in the right man on the podium. Do any of you folk hold a strong opinion or any stories of how your own development as a musician has been helped by these strange creatures brandishing their little white sticks?
Funny stories are also welcome as are any tips for me as I prepare Berlioz's Symphonie Fantastique for later this year.
Kindest Regards as always,
Dean.
I currently play in a community orchestra with another player who seems to have boundless energy toward making judgements about conductors. He's retired and plays in several groups, and seems to hold most conductors that he deals with on a weekly basis in high esteem.
Except one . . . who he can't seem to disparage enough.
Turns out that conductor was my high school band director who I worshipped and is probably the greatest influence on my musical life to date.
Go figure . . .