Archived under: Conductors, Lists & FAQs | Opera, Orchestra
Two Typical Leadership Styles of Conductors to Watch For
With regard to leadership there are basically two types of music conductors:
- Those that lead from the side
- Those that lead from the front
Conductors that lead from the side will begin rehearsals with broad concepts. They allow details to organically evolve from the musicians in rehearsal and will mold this organic process into a cohesive vision by performance time.
These conductors usually begin rehearsals with uninterrupted readings; they will gauge and hone in on the natural tendencies of the orchestra and seek out ways to shape these tendencies into their broader, big picture.
Sergiu Celibidache:
Conductors that lead from the side may include archetypes such as:
- The Diplomat
- The Negotiator
- The Colleague
- The Teacher
These are the basic archetypes that leadership-success gurus like to point to as examples for business leaders to emulate. These conductors are generally the most approachable for the average musician to relate and talk to.
Conductors that lead from the front will approach an orchestra with a detailed interpretation already in hand; details are carefully micromanaged.
Complete readings of pieces may only happen at the final dress rehearsal.
A few archetypes of conductors that lead from the front might include:
- The Autocrat
- The Teacher
- The Neophyte
- The Enlightened Philosopher
In capable hands, each method can have its own merits.
Knowing which type your conductor is (or is trying to be) can be a valuable asset. While you as the subordinate may not agree with certain aspects of one style or another, anticipating a conductor’s method and understanding their strengths and weaknesses can help a player keep a positive frame of mind.
Related to this article
- Conductors: Time and Gesture
I can remember the first time I worked with a world class conductor. His manner and mannerisms were so different from what I was accustomed to that it took me a good while to understand and follow him. While my encounters with world-class conductors has been... - Three Things Conductors Want
Yesterday I visited a rehearsal by the ASU symphony orchestra and the conductor confirmed something I have said a number of times before. Conductors love players who can play with character. He mentioned an example of the great woodwind players of the past having very distinctive... - Conductors Say the Darndest Things
Earlier this year I had a couple interactions with conductors (not in Arizona) that gave me pause. One conductor, on a work that was in a jazz idiom, asked several times for us to make it more “sleazy” or to play it in a more sleazy... - Conductors Say the Darndest Things II
The great American horn teacher Philip Farkas had a story about water in the horn that he loved to tell. Nancy Fako relates the story as told by Farkas in the questions and answers part of a recorded 1979 panel discussion in her book Philip Farkas &... - Pet Peeve: Conductors that Talk too Much
I have started following several arts related blogs lately. Today the post at Arts Addict hits exactly on a pet peeve I have: conductors that talk too much during concerts. His post is titled “The Babbling Conductor.” My theory is people come to concerts to hear... - Top Ten List: Advice for Conductors
A top-ten list for conductors from a musician’s view. INTRODUCTION Having been a professional musician for around 25 years now, I have seen my share of conductors – the good, the bad and the ugly. I have performed with groups around the world with a variety... - Conductors are Your Audience
This time of year the topic of seating auditions is a big one for college students. I do my best to help all students prepare for these auditions at ASU, and have over the years I believe done better with this each year. Of course you...
Art and Culture Dead in America?
"Not Like Kopprash"
Dennis Brain, 1921-57
