SOME HINTS TO THE CONDUCTOR

by JORMA PANULA

 

 

I assume you know the scores and their secrets. To many the score looks like a

secret code.  Learning the score is the first requirement to leading an orchestra.

Nevertheless, the most difficult part begins with the orchestra rehearsal.   As your

instrument, you have a living machinery, complicated to handle, not some old fashioned

band in an officer's command. We are all musicians, doing teamwork. My pedagogical

motto is:

 

HELP, BUT DON'T GET IN THE WAY

 

REHEARSAL TECHNIQUE: There are some aspects which must be known and planned

in advance. You will know how much rehearsal time you have but when the soloist shows

up, time can be limited. Player's absences and illnesses complicate the flow of rehearsals,

as does the state of players' instruments, acoustics, air conditioning, etc. The degree of

difficulty of the works is anyway the most important thing to consider in dividing the

rehearsal time between pieces. Surprises will pop up from one place or another.

 

COMING TO THE REHEARSAL: You will have become familiar in advance with the

city's sights and cultural characteristics, and you know the VIP names. More important is

to find out who the orchestra "divas" are, which are to be found in every orchestra.

The first contact with the orchestra is decisive. What kind of picture do you give

of yourself? You can't give any other than what you are. Pretensions and false images

will show through sooner or later. If you try more than you are capable of it shows.

Some conductors have all kinds of equipment with which they pretend to show

their importance: towels, attention arousing stuff like baton cases, watches and other junk

to get extra notice.  Avoid all of this. Be a player among players. Speak clearly and

calmly. Respect people. Don't imitate the player's mistakes. Keep talking to a minimum.

Posture should be as natural as possible, characteristic of the music, same with

gestures.  In some cases it is enough to beat time without expression or nuance; the

musicians also have music which they have to read, not just sit around staring at you. So,

feet and legs then: not bent and crooked, squatting or hammering the floor. Audible extra

sounds and speech disturbs both the musicians and audience, and can get in the way of

recording. Many recording sessions need to be redone because of the conductor. Hands'

position, neck stiffness, expression and looks are revealing and have an effect on the

performance. It's worth studying yourself not in a mirror, bur rather with video.

By playing the work you come to find the inner core.  Minimize therefore your

speech, always focus your words to the people farthest in the back, but not personally

unless you want to thank them for a beautiful solo. In any case, wait for silence before

speaking. If there is some uncertainty regarding bowing, give time to the concert master.

This is his/her important job. Be sure to notice that pencils are in use. When addressing a

concern, first acknowledge the group/player, call attention to the place in question, and

then give the changes/corrections you want. When beginning from a new place, say the

place only once. This sharpens concentration.

Acknowledge wrong notes with a pokerface (show no expression).  Everyone

makes mistakes. If and when you stop the orchestra, ask yourself of its necessity, don't

just show that you noticed something.    Start from the same place a maximum of three

times. If after the third time there is still a problem, you need to change the gesture. You

always have to have new technique up your sleeve. When you rehearse an unknown piece

measure by measure, every now and then play the large section. If you take a technically

difficult section under tempo, don't hammer out the beats, just listen (don't get in the way).

Measure numbers are difficult to find when not every measure is numbered the way they

are in many newer works. For this reason it is best to take new starts in the middle of the

movement from or near rehearsal numbers or letters or tempo changes.

Show with your fingers what pattern you will beat.  While playing it is also

possible to do so, but show well ahead of time. Warn players of a dangerous place ahead

by raising your hand, without baton, usually the left. When it is a question of meter and

pattern change, show the change with fingers ahead of time.

Nuances and tempo change the first time through is best exaggerated, second time

conduct as you would in concert.  While playing you can call out directions, but it is

useless to try to speak or shout during forte sections. You can call attention by pointing

to a player or group when helpful, but it is not necessary to stop the orchestra.

 

Situation comedy lightens heavy work, but there are limits.  Too many jokes

(especially stupid ones) make the atmosphere heavy. Be sensitive to when a situation is

helped by a break. If is becomes uncomfortably hot or especially if you become sweaty,

don't start scratching, clawing, poking and all kinds of antics, this gives an unsure, apelike

impression. Simply call for an extra break.

Rehearsal continues in a friendly spirit while still maintaining a pure, artistic

working atmosphere. Staying fresh and creative, not routine, stimulates the rehearsal if

the orchestra absorbs things fast, it's not necessary to make them play just to kill time.

Players are very sensitive to this and the atmosphere drops. In the dress rehearsal, if there

is time, orchestras like to play through the whole program without breaks (as with opera

and theatre). This way they know how to use their energy and concentration and best

focus it in the concert. If the program is too tiring for some winds or brass, you can invite

them to save themselves for the concert.  Again: HELP, BUT DON'T GET IN THE

WAY!!