Great Conductors.

 

Orchestral Rehearsals.

I was 15 years old when I joined my first orchestra in Brooklyn, New York. As the years passed, I played in many other groups in Minneapolis, Denver, Palo Alto, and more.

The ability of an orchestral conductor to communicate what he is seeking from the orchestra players is a key requirement. As such, I have come to greatly admire some conductors, and not to admire others.

As an example: Herbert von Karajan had a habit of closing his eyes when he conducted. As fine a musician as he was, I have never comprehended how a leader can lead with his eyes closed.

Let me illustrate some conducting styles:

First, this is an interesting excerpt from a rehearsal filmed in 1968 in which Leopold Stokowski, then nearly 86 years old, conducted Beethoven’s Overture ‘Leonore’ No. 3. The orchestra was the American Symphony, founded by Stokowski himself in 1962. Terrific commitment to excellence!

 

 

And next, here is a dress rehearsal OF THE SECOND MOVEMENT OF SYMPHONY No. 7 BY BEETHOVEN, conducted by Ricardo Mutti.

 

 

And now: The late George Szell rehearses the first movement of Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony with the Cleveland Orchestra:

 

 

And next, as a comparison: here is Gustavo Dudamel conducting Beethoven’s symphony # 5 during rehearsal with Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra. The conductor does more listening than talking:

 

 

And now we hear an excerpt of Erich Kleiber rehearsing the choral fourth movement from Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony in Prague, 1949:

 

 

And next: My favorite conductor: Carlos Kleiber (son of Erich Kleiber) rehearses “Unter Donner und Blitz” (in German):

 

 

Before we end, here’s one terrific rehearsal (With English subtitles) in which
Carlos Kleiber rehearses and conducts “Der Freischütz” and “Die Fledermaus”:

 

http://youtu.be/9EbSu_YVIWg

In my view, Carlos Kleiber was unsurpassed.

Tags: Rehearsals, Orchestras, conductors, Carlos Kleiber, Dudamel, Mutti, George Szell, Leopold Stokowski