[Menvi-discuss] Wands for blindpeople/workingwithorchestraandense...

Fri Jan 13 11:29:20 PST 2012

The joke goes that it's the secret belief of the orchestra that if the
conductor died during a performance, nobody would miss a beat because it's
really the principal violinist (concert master) who leads the orchestra.

All narcissism aside, the conductor really is necessary. Having a person at
the center of the ensemble, monitoring and controlling the flow of music is
vital. And, during rehearsals is where conductors really earn their keep. We
don't just stand there flapping our hands in time to the music (though
sometimes we do, when we're lost) hoping it all comes out even at the double
bar line. Rather, if we're doing our job responsibly, we're spending hours
upon hours studying the composers, their scores, and listening to and
studying innumerable interpretations by other orchestras and their maestros,
and also studying the composers' personalities and sensibilities, and
historical performance practices.

But that's not to discount the responsibility of the lowly, peasant
musician.
A little story: In Mendelssohn's "Elijah", there is a point where the
recitative starts slow and declamatory, but when the orchestra attacks
they've got sixteenth notes at 150. During our performance, the orchestra
misinterpreted the transition from 4-4 time to 2-2 time (half equals
quarter) and played eighths instead of sixteenths. The choir knew exactly
what had happened and attacked the intro on-spot, powerfully. This slightly
rattled the orchestra but they quickly jumped onto the train and off we
went. The conductor was so happy with the choir for the throw and the
orchestra got the reception. Touchdown!
The rest of the performance was razor sharp and very powerful. Like a rock
concert. hehe.

I could go on and on, but the crux is:
The conductor is the "Fall Guy". If anything goes wrong in a performance,
everyone looks to the conductor for answers and explanations:
"Where's the beat?"
"What's the mood?"
"Where are we?"
Besides, who's gonna cue the cymbal player when he's lost his measure count?
(I say "he" because I've never had a female percussionist lose count.)

Therefore, conductors are not simply baton-waving time-keepers; they are
producers and directors.
Forever we honor the memory and contributions of Jean-Baptiste Lully, and
his toe.
Sincerely,
Andy.

  -----Original Message-----
  From: menvi-discuss-bounces at menvi.org
[mailto:menvi-discuss-bounces at menvi.org]On Behalf Of
ayaka.isono at sbcglobal.net
  Sent: Friday, January 13, 2012 11:30 AM
  To: 'This is for discussing music and braille literacy'
  Subject: Re: [Menvi-discuss] Wands for
blindpeople/workingwithorchestraandense...

    True.  however, let's say the interpretation on how loud or soft it
should be played could be different.  For example, brass section see ff and
play loud.  But the ff for violin or flute section can't match the ff of
brass section.  In that case, the conductor will point or look at the
direction of the brass section and tell them to keep it down a bit to match
the other sections.  Or, the conductors might put his index finger on the
lips to indicate to play soft or quiet.  In those cases, it might be not
easy for blind musicians to follow those cues.

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  From: menvi-discuss-bounces at menvi.org
[mailto:menvi-discuss-bounces at menvi.org] On Behalf Of Debra Baxley
  Sent: Friday, January 13, 2012 10:50 AM
  To: 'This is for discussing music and braille literacy'
  Subject: Re: [Menvi-discuss] Wands for blind
people/workingwithorchestraandense...

  Phrasing dynamic markings, etc. are written in the music.

  Debra

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  From: menvi-discuss-bounces at menvi.org
[mailto:menvi-discuss-bounces at menvi.org] On Behalf Of
ayaka.isono at sbcglobal.net
  Sent: Friday, January 13, 2012 11:40 AM
  To: 'This is for discussing music and braille literacy'
  Subject: Re: [Menvi-discuss] Wands for blind people/
workingwithorchestraandense...

    Conductors also give phrasing, dynamics, nuance, and other small
details, not just rhythm.  More musicians get together, more difficult to
agree on how the music should be shaped.  Conductors job is to keep the
orchestra together.

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  From: menvi-discuss-bounces at menvi.org
[mailto:menvi-discuss-bounces at menvi.org] On Behalf Of Debra Baxley
  Sent: Friday, January 13, 2012 10:02 AM
  To: 'This is for discussing music and braille literacy'
  Subject: Re: [Menvi-discuss] Wands for blind people/
workingwithorchestraand ense...

  If sighted people know rhythm, why would they even need a conductor?

  Debra

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  From: menvi-discuss-bounces at menvi.org
[mailto:menvi-discuss-bounces at menvi.org] On Behalf Of SClark6144 at aol.com
  Sent: Friday, January 13, 2012 10:46 AM
  To: menvi-discuss at menvi.org
  Subject: Re: [Menvi-discuss] Wands for blind people/ working
withorchestraand ense...

   A conductor's baton is a visual sign to sighted players.

  Maybe you guys are looking for a MAGIC wand.

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