Conductors

[missprim]

Something I've been curious about for a while now is, does a group of musicians/ orchestra need a conductor.
I saw this clip on a different thread and noticed there was no conductor yet the group of musicians played really well.
Whenever I watch programmes on the TV where an orchestra is playing, the players hardly ever look at the conductor.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qb_jQBgzU-I

[emmie]

Not just a conductor in the sense of standing on the rostrum waiving a baton, but the person who leads, coordinates, works through the music with the musicians. So i would say they need a conductor. I am sure there are better explanations, but those of the ones i think of when watching concerts, with musicians and conductor in perfect harmony, well mostly!

[craft1948]

Doesn't the first violinist sometimes act as conductor?

[emmie]

Craft Yes they do.

[venator]

Exactly, em10 - the conductor doesn't just turn up on the night - there have been rehearsals in which he works with the orchestra to achieve his interpretation of the music.

[boxtops]

A good orchestra - where there is a conductor - will always keep an eye on him/her for tempo and instruction. Where there isn't one, it's a safe bet that they have rehearsed so much that they know the work well enough to manage without one.

[missprim]

I expect there are lots of people involved in a music performance before the audience gets to see it and hopefully they can play everything really well after all the rehearsals and wondered if the conductor is just there to wave a baton about. I expect I am completely wrong on this but would really like to know more. Would be great if an actual music conductor reads this so they could explain what the difference is between them and Joe Bloggs standing there waving a baton about.

[emmie]

the question i have always wanted to ask, is why so many conductors have strange, hair, Sir Simon Rattle is one in question, i know it has nothing to do with the actual question, but i have seen so many who's locks could do with a trim or tied back somehow, makes them look quite eccentric sometimes, though of course not to say they aren't brilliant musicians. Sir George Solti was always immaculate, but then he really was old school

[boxtops]

It's about interpretation of the different passages of the music, missprim - IMO, I could conduct and it would sound like a dirge because I don't have the knowledge to change the volume and tones to get the best out of the music and the instruments.

[VHG]

It is a bit like saying does a professional football team need a manager.

I am sure without a manager you could send out 11 players and they could probably make a decent stab of playing as a team (in the same way an orchestra could make a decent stab at playing a piece of music).

But a fooball manager would have studied the opponents and worked out some tactics to beat them, highlighting the other teams strengths and weakenesses.

The mamager would also motivate the players and use their experience to make them play better as a team.

A conducter does the same. Motivating and encouraging the musicians to get the best out of them.

[missprim]

Know what you mean em, his hair is flying all over the place when he's really stuck into a piece. I think one of the reasons I asked this question is because I would like to have a go at this myself and just wondered how difficult it might be.

[craft1948]

Didn't Sue Perkins do rather well at this?

[boxtops]

do you read music, missp? IMO, that would be necessary, to know which instruments are due to come in next.

[emmie]

They had a programme on a while back, someone remind me of the name, where some celebs, sorry not into reality tv got the chance to learn the art of conducting, according to the people involved they made a reasonable go of it. If you want to watch someone of pure genius then watch Gustavo Dudamel, will see if i can the programme for you..

[missprim]

Mmm I see what you mean VHG but do footballers keep looking at the manager for guidance? Does he really have to be there when the game is on? I'm asking this as I don't watch football.
Boxtops I know what you mean but on the clip from youtube they are playing a complicated piece with no condutor, unless he's somewhere we can't see him!!

[emmie]

the show was called Maestro, see if there are links to it, one person who took up the challenge was Sue Perkins, comedian, presenter.

[emmie]

Brilliant music, with Gustavo Dudamel The Simon Bolivar Youth Orchestra,
i have never seen a Proms concert like it. From 2007

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3vwZAkfLKK8

[emmie]

No idea if this would help but looked up web, on Amazon
Conducting Technique for Beginners and Professionals [Paperback]
Brock McElheran (Author)

[missprim]

Thanks for that em, he's another one who needs a haircut!! I like Andre Rieu and would love to go to one of his concerts.Love this clip of him in concert but once again he is playing the violin in this clip although I appreciate a conductor is needed for this piece as they conduct the audience. Such fun.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xToFOzD0M8E&feature=relmfu

[emmie]

The biggest selling classical music artist in the world, i believe, i think he had some 7 albums in classic music charts at one time, love his style. I think being from Venezuela, Dudamel has the latin looks, and hair!! whilst Andre Rieu always reminds me of the actor Geoffrey Rush...
If you were interested in having a go at conducting, why not look at the info on web, there seems to be lots about it.

[missprim]

Thanks again em, have just been listening to the clip you put on,wow, what an orchestra and the music was so diverse really good. Don't fancy my chances at all of conducting an orchestra this size.
Will have a look at the info on the web but think the only conducting I will be doing is along with the music on my cd's !!
Thanks to all especially em, didn't expect to get any replies to this question so I'm realy pleased I asked.x