Talking Conductors - 2007/01/19 11:17
What do messageboarders think about the current fashion for conductors speaking to the audience from the podium?
In the past it was such a rare event that it was quite memorable. I can remember words from Alex Gibson, Jack Thomson, Walter Weller and Alexander Lazarev because of their scarcity value, and because it was something that needed to be said at the time.
Nowadays the microphone seems to be a fixture and conductors seem to want to talk whether they have anything useful to tell us or not. In my experience most of them are better at conducting than at talking. Most of them just repeat what is written in the programme which is a complete waste of time. By all means introduce a new work if there is something to add or to play some excerpts, but otherwise most of them would be better getting on with the job they are paid for.
None of the above applies to Stephane whose delightful accent gets him away with anything.
The administrator has disabled public write access.
DJMurdoch
Posts: 39
Re:Talking Conductors - 2007/01/19 13:11Ann Dante wrote: None of the above applies to Stephane whose delightful accent gets him away with anything.
In my experience the bit about repeating what's written in the programme seems to apply to him!
Given that some people see symphony concerts as rather stuffy affairs, it can be a good way to break the ice, particularly if the conductor is a bit of a character - like Stefan Solyom or Nicholas McGegan for example. Though having recently tried in vain to make sense of Leif Segerstam, I would agree that some conductors are indeed a lot better at conducting than talking!
The administrator has disabled public write access.
Lauren Till
Posts: 22
Re:Talking Conductors - 2007/01/19 14:49
When they started the conductor talking to the audience Sephan said he wanted to break the wall between the orchestra and audience and I think this is good. But I also agree that some conductors cant do it. I think its Deneves thing.
Lauren x
The administrator has disabled public write access.
DJMurdoch
Posts: 39
Re:Talking Conductors - 2007/01/19 15:23
Thought this might be of interest - BBC SSO cellist Anthony Sayer's thoughts on Nicholas McGegan (who conducted their concert last night) in their blog:
Anthony Sayer wrote: Conductor Nicholas McGegan introduced the concert, mentioned some mistakes in the programme notes, what was good about working with Sally Beamish etc, that sort of stuff. It’s a great feeling when the conductor has a gift for drawing in the audience, putting everyone at their ease, giving out some interesting snippets of information, good vibes all round. And so we were all smiling for the start of the modern piece. Which helps.
Those last two sentences in particular seem to tie in with Ann's point about new works at the start of the thread.
The administrator has disabled public write access.
IainM
Posts: 9
Re:Talking Conductors - 2007/01/20 02:05
It definitely depends on the conductor. There are some conductors I have played under (in youth orchestras etc) I would love to hear speak at concerts and really add something to it, and some who would put me off the music and make me feel uncomfortable. There is also the question of doing it at the appropriate time and having something worthwhile to say. The old saying definitely applies, if you don't have anything worth saying, don't say anything at all.
The administrator has disabled public write access.
x 