Does an orchestra really need a conductor?

smartie806

Among other things, the conductor keeps a steady beat, and the movements of the baton communicate different things to the orchestra. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conducting Aug 07 06, 8:37 AM

zbeckabee

Apparently NOT. http://www.paloaltoonline.com/weekly/morgue/listings/1997_Jan_17.2NDART17.html Aug 07 06, 9:17 AM

Arpeggionist

It really depends on what they're playing. A Mozart symphony doesn't really need anyone giving time, all the players know those by heart anyway. But a modern piece for orchestra, such as Bernstein's suite "West Side Story" certainly does require a conductor. The conductor's job is mostly done during rehearsals, and by the time the orchestra or choir gets to the performance, the conductor is there more for prestige and formality than anything else, though in some pieces his/her help is needed for certain very important cues. Richard Strauss, one of the best conductors in history, tells a story about how early in his career he was filling in for the tympanist in the rehearsals for the premiere of Brahms' 4th Symphony. Brahms conducted and gave Strauss no cues, and Strauss had a really hard time counting measures. For the performance the regular tympanist managed to show up and he played his part well enough to impress Strauss. Since then Strauss advises all conductors to never let the brass and percussion out of their sight. Aug 07 06, 10:04 AM

BungeeAZ

Yes, the conductor sets the tempo and conducts the various dynamics of the composition. If a conductor well rehearses a band, the band can conceivably play the piece perfectly, but it might be a more dynamic performance if the conductor is present. If the conductor is not present, usually the conductor is substituted by the first chair violin player. Aug 07 06, 3:29 PM