Conductors in Conversation: Fifteen Contemporary Conductors Discuss Their Lives and Profession [Hardcover]

Jeannine Wagar (Author)

Product Details

• Hardcover: 297 pages
• Publisher: G K Hall; First Edition edition (May 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 081618996X
• ISBN-13: 978-0816189960
• Product Dimensions: 9.7 x 6.3 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,211,006 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Words for the music . . ., February 20, 2006

By 

kellytwo "kellytwo" (cleveland hts, ohio) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Conductors in Conversation: Fifteen Contemporary Conductors Discuss Their Lives and Profession (Hardcover)

Probably most people who appreciate classical music have wondered at one time or another, just what does it take to make a conductor? Why do we need one, anyway? If you've ever attended a concert or opera performance (or watched on in a movie or on TV) you'll derive a great deal of enjoyment from this remarkable book. You'll understand a lot more about your musical life by the time you've finished reading it. And if you're a musician of whatever variety, you'll also appreciate the time and effort expended by Jeannine Wagar to produce this book.

And should you be thinking of studying the art of conducting, or even just thinking about conducting) this book should be required reading because of all the marvelous insights into what makes a conductor-and what makes a conductor tick? Who better to ask all the pertinent (and sometimes impertinent) questions and then tell about it than another conductor?

Jeannine Wagar has been conducting for most of her life, and set out just over sixteen years ago to probe the psyches of orchestra conductors to find out what makes them tick. She wrote to more than fifty of them, but due to travel and other constraints, actually ended up by interviewing fifteen of these fascinating creatures; two ladies and thirteen gentlemen. Of these, two are now deceased and one seems to have retired. The other twelve are all flourishing and you may even have heard one of them in concert last week!

Originally, Ms. Wagar planned to ask each conductor the same questions, but quickly discovered that wasn't very workable. A question or two got things rolling, and then she just sat back and listened, while taking notes, of course. The results are astonishing and fascinating. Not surprisingly, many of them grumble slightly about the differences between being Music Director of an American orchestra and those of a European based Intendant.

They discuss frankly and openly rehearsal techniques, and how this might differ from concert performances; the connection between composing and conducting; metronome markings in Beethoven's symphonies: new music; choosing repertoire; balancing sound when home and away; to memorize or not; advising young conductors and myriad other topics, including that necessary evil-fund-raising. Wisely, Ms. Wagar did not insist on keeping to her original questions, but rather let the conductor's words wander where they might.

There's a photo of each, plus a biography and discography, in addition to the questions and answers. I've always been enamored of Christoph von Dohnányi, Kurt Masur and André Previn, for various reasons. Nothing in this book has changed my mind one little bit, although I hadn't realized what a wonderful sense of humor is housed in Mr. Previn. I was also captivated by the educational insights provided by Charles Dutoit. For a serious conducting student, this book is easily worth the price, if only for the words of wisdom imparted by Mr. Dutoit.

It's my honest belief that every self-respecting music library should include a copy of this book. Originally, I read a copy borrowed from my local library. However, I so totally enjoyed this book; that not only did I buy a copy for my own library, but I've since read it three times! Thank you, Ms. Wagar! Happy conducting!