Conductors - Do They Matter?

Recently I was watching the "Finale du Concours international des jeunes chefs d'orchestre" on Arte TV. My wife, who likes some of the reality shows (Top Chef is one of her favorites) thought it might be similar, but for conductors instead of cooks. She was a little disappointed when she discovered that there were no fiery personality conflicts, backstabbing comments, or emotional tirades (at least that we saw).

After a few minutes she turned to me and asked, "So, how much difference does the conductor really make, anyway? Doesn't the music tell the orchestra all they need to do?" I'm sure she regretted the question as soon as it was out of her mouth because I was off and running on the first of a ten part lecture on what a conductor does and why he makes a difference.

I won't bore you with all the obvious (at least to musicians) details of tempo, phrasing, balance, blend, interpretation, and so on. But I did mention that it was also a question of inspiration and leadership, like in a business. As a businesswoman, I thought that this would be something she could relate to. A good business leader gets her workers to want to work their best for her.

So it is with a good conductor. Musicians, being human (so I'm told), don't always bring their "A" game to a performance. It isn't easy to get up for an old warhorse that one has played a thousand times. It takes a conductor to inspire them. That inspiration occurs when an orchestra feels the conductor has outstanding musical skills, a valid musical interpretation of the work, a love of the music, and great communication skills at the podium.

All those qualities were on display when Kazuki Yamada conducted the first movement of Hector Berlioz's Symphonie Fantastique at the competition. The work started strong, but as the piece progressed, one sensed that the orchestra (the BBC Symphony Orchestra) felt that they were taking part in something special. As Yamada inspired them, their playing became more exciting, and that in turn seemed to inspire Yamada even more - vortex of inspiration building on itself until it became a joyous celebration of the music. I'm not a big Berlioz fan, but boy, was I sold on this performance.