- Killing the magic
A recent post on a Facebook conductors group about the tempo connection between the Adagio and Allegro in Mozart’s overture to Die Zauberflöte drew a great deal of comment about the opening of this piece.
- Metamorphosis
It seems to me that the development of a conductor has parallels with the life cycle of the butterfly: only once the various stages have been passed through can we see any real result.
- Magnetic attraction
One of the reasons I am careful about the orchestras I teach with is because step one of this game is being able to make provocations which work with musicians who are able to react to them.
- Coriolan Overture
Video and commentary for Beethoven’s Coriolan Overture
- Using recordings for study
“Should I listen to recordings when preparing scores?” This is a question I am often asked and the short answer is “no” but for those interested to know why I take this position, I decided it is time to elaborate somewhat.
- Five Golden Rules
These are the “rules” I came up with when I set myself the challenge of distilling a few key guidelines for conductors.
- The point of connection
Perhaps the most important development in my own thinking arising from the 2024 Audite International Masterclass has been in relation to the way in which we connect ourselves to the sound.
- Hitting the target
“So many conductors will come on stage, cut the air with their hands and jump around, and audiences are delighted, even though musically there’s nothing.”
- Audite 2024 – Mendelssohn
Video and commentary about the rehearsal and performance of Mendelssohn’s “Hebrides”
- Audite 2024 – Schubert
Video and commentary about the demonstration of the opening of Schubert’s 3rd Symphony.