What Does a Conductor Really Do?

Sticky Notes: The Classical Music Podcast

Joshua Weilerstein

Clarinet, Timpani, Performing, Trombone, Cello, Trumpet, Bassoon, Classicalmusic, Performing Arts, Arts, Violin, Flute, Piano, Conductor, Music, Weilerstein

4.9 • 2.1K Ratings

🗓️ 25 May 2023

⏱️ 47 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Have you ever wondered what it is that us conductors are really doing up there? Are we just waving our arms in time to the music? What role does the conductor actually play in a concert? How about a rehearsal? Do we also learn to be train conductors as well? Well, today's episode is about answering those questions! We'll talk about conducting on 3 different levels, including the basic level where we'll talk all about beat patterns, studying, rehearsals, concert programming, and more. We'll also talk about what I like to call the 30,000 feet level, where all of those basic decisions can help translate into musical ideas that inspire the orchestra and move the audience. And finally, we'll head to what the late great conductor Mariss Jansons called the Cosmic level, where true inspiration takes place. This can happen as little as once or twice in a lifetime in a concert, but when it does, there is nothing like it! We'll talk about all this, and more today - join us!

Transcript

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0:00.0	Hello and welcome to Sticky Notes, the Classical Music Podcast.
0:12.6	My name is Joshua Weilerstein, I'm a conductor, and I'm the music director of the Phoenix
0:16.2	Orchestra of Boston, and the chief conductor designate of the Allborg Symphony.
0:20.6	This podcast is for anyone who loves classical music, works in the field, or is just getting
0:24.8	ready to dive into this amazing world of incredible music.
0:28.5	Before we get started, I want to thank all of my Patreon sponsors for making season
0:32.2	9 possible.
0:33.8	If you'd like to support the show, please head over to patreon.com slash Sticky Notes Podcast.
0:38.8	And if you are a fan of the show, please just take a moment to give us a rating or review
0:42.0	on Apple Podcasts.
0:43.7	It is greatly appreciated.
0:46.6	So I am back home after about a month on the road, I just finished a concert in Manchester
0:52.3	with the BBC Philharmonic.
0:53.9	We played Florence Price's first symphony, and her piano concerted with Janava County
0:57.8	Mason.
0:58.8	It was a really fun week.
1:00.2	I also just had a fantastic time in Boston with Phoenix.
1:04.2	As I said, we did this program exploring the history of Jewish music, it was a very special
1:08.1	concert, and we had a great time with Ezekiel's wheels, the Closmer band that joined us, very,
1:14.3	very exciting, a couple of weeks of work.
1:17.3	And now I'm off for a little while as I prepare for the summer concerts, which will be in
1:21.7	BBC Philharmonic again in Manchester.
	...

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