How does an symphony orchestra conductor communicate with the orchestra musician

Position:Home>Performing Arts> How does an symphony orchestra conductor communicate with the orchestra musician

Question:

I've noticed from watching videos of symphony orchestras that the musicians rarely look at the conductor while they are playing, or so it seems to me!. If they are resting they'll look for cues to come in but not while playing, except sometimes for players who have a solo part (i!.e!., winds) or something like that!. So how do they absorb what the conductor is doing!?Www@QuestionHome@Com

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:

I do not have much experience in a Symphony Orchestra (ok, none) but I will relate my experiences as an on-stage performer working with a Pit conductor:

The orchestra, during rehearsal , will make notes in the score re: dynamics, tempi, etc!. A good conductor will never vary, once that has been set!.

The rest is a semi-mystical, symbiotic dance between performer, musician and conductor!. I fully realize that this is an inadequate answer, but ya just gotta FEEL it!. That is where the artistry comes in!. Notes on a chart or words on a paper do not breathe!.

I have had the opportunity to work with some pretty amazing conductors, and a couple of really crappy ones!. Nothing is more excruciatingly painful than to try to get a good Show out of a bad Pit conductor!. It is all in the timing, and in the finesse!. You cannot teach talent!. You can only glory in it when it shows itself!.

I may have digressed a bit!.

The musicians do not need to watch the conductor, but can if necessary!. The conductor sets the "mood" of the piece, and leads!. With a good conductor, musicians do not need to look, just feel!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

I don't really think that's true; I think symphony players are watching the conductor in their peripheral vision!. They're not looking directly at the conductor, but I can assure you; the professional player, or any good player, is watching the conductor!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

the rule in school was one eye on the music, one eye on the conductor!. reality is,!.!.!.most musicians use periferal vision and all professionals that i have worked with are so well rehearsed that they dont need big obvious cues from the conductor!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

i play and believe it or not we actually watch the conductor!. we work with like the corner of our eyes to see him plus we have practiced the piece a million of times so we kno pretty much wat is going on so we just look at the conductor as refrence and not leadsWww@QuestionHome@Com

Usually the stand is placed so that the musicians can glance between their music and the conductor with ease!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

A good conductor knows each piece inside and out, and they rehearse on their own, often for months before the orchestra gets the music!. They make notes to themselves about phrasing and dynamics, or particularly technical passages for cues!. During the first few rehearsals with the orchestra, the conductor will make sure to relay his ideas, both through hand movements and speech!.!.!. and any good musician will mark their music accordingly!.
A good conductor will be extremely consistant, and will RARELY surprise the musicians with changes during a performance!. Almost all of the "artistic additives" and phrasing that a conductor brings to a piece have been rehearsed!.
As far as the musicians are concerned- we place our stands so that we can see the conductor just over the top of our music!. In rough passages, you can see your music AND the movements of the conductor without having to shift your eyes too much!. If the piece is not technically challenging with notes, but is rhythmically challenging, you can actually watch the conductor and see your music with your peripheral vision!.
Really, it comes down to listening to where your part fits (rhythms and harmonies), counting, watching, and PRACTICING!. It's just being activly aware!. :)

also- if you see an orchestra that does not watch the conductor, or the conductor is not consistant with their style or interpretation of the music, you will know!. These are the orchestras that remain mediocre, at best, and you walk away from a performance feeling unfulfilled!. If they were fantastic, it is because they were all watching, listening, and breathing together- and you will walk away with the music still in your head!.Www@QuestionHome@Com