Should symphony orchestra's be about personalities and celebrity?
There ARE a few orchestras that don't have people in front of them wiggling their butts at the patrons and shaking sticks at the musicians.
Something that all symphony orchestras have, though, is people with musical instruments making sounds.
...so do orchestras really need a "5th valve"?
Re: music directors
Posted: Mon Sep 28, 2026 9:50 am
by AvrTuba
Seems what sells tickets these days are Star Wars movie soundtracks and an attractive, young person, burning a lot of calories in front of the orchestra.
Re: music directors
Posted: Mon Sep 28, 2026 9:52 am
by arpthark
I think you said it yourself -- (live) music is 90% visual.
Re: music directors
Posted: Mon Sep 28, 2026 10:11 am
by windshieldbug
And somebody has to break the tie when the inevitable interpretation disputes break out.
Plus, who else is going to give the violas the hand!?
Re: music directors
Posted: Tue Sep 29, 2026 4:19 pm
by Paulver
As one who has paid close attention to orchestral conductors for the last eight or nine years, I'm here to tell you that there are some really fine conductors. A total delight to watch and listen. And then................ there are those who couldn't find the beat if they had a compass and an entire pack of boy scouts!!!!! I've talked with a number of pro orch members over the years, and there are many who have told me that the conductors are sometimes a complete disaster. Cuing where nothing is happening. Missing cues where there should something happening. Swinging the stick in such a way that nobody in the performing group can tell which beat the conductor is on. Getting totally lost while staring at the score. Dancing around so much that it's a complete distraction for the audience. And then there's the almighty "curly locks, hair-shaking" head movements.... thinking that they are impressing everyone. And my favorite, some baton wavers get the bright idea that they should change the original intent of the composer, and drastically alter the interpretation of dynamics and expression of a piece. You're in the audience, knowing the piece, expecting this glorious crescendo or a stirring tempo change, and............. nothing!!! A dud! A total let down!
These people have glowing resumés printed in the programs, but when it comes to actual conducting, some of them leave a whole lot to be desired.
Re: music directors
Posted: Tue Sep 29, 2026 5:18 pm
by Bob Kolada
An experienced conductor can also be effective in managing the audience.
Top comment-
I love how the audience held their applause until Maestro Blomstedt nodded his head signaling that it was appropriate for them to applaud now. I wish more conductors and audiences would learn to do this.
This also implies a level of sophistry and civility in the population which may or not be on its decline...
Re: music directors
Posted: Tue Sep 29, 2026 9:55 pm
by bloke
Paulver wrote: Tue Sep 29, 2026 4:19 pm
As one who has paid close attention to orchestral conductors for the last eight or nine years, I'm here to tell you that there are some really fine conductors. A total delight to watch and listen. And then................ there are those who couldn't find the beat if they had a compass and an entire pack of boy scouts!!!!! I've talked with a number of pro orch members over the years, and there are many who have told me that the conductors are sometimes a complete disaster. Cuing where nothing is happening. Missing cues where there should something happening. Swinging the stick in such a way that nobody in the performing group can tell which beat the conductor is on. Getting totally lost while staring at the score. Dancing around so much that it's a complete distraction for the audience. And then there's the almighty "curly locks, hair-shaking" head movements.... thinking that they are impressing everyone. And my favorite, some baton wavers get the bright idea that they should change the original intent of the composer, and drastically alter the interpretation of dynamics and expression of a piece. You're in the audience, knowing the piece, expecting this glorious crescendo or a stirring tempo change, and............. nothing!!! A dud! A total let down!
These people have glowing resumés printed in the programs, but when it comes to actual conducting, some of them leave a whole lot to be desired.
Young, pretty, and obviously not descended from any of the meat and potatoes symphonic literature composers, nor any of their cousins.