Originally Posted by Clarino

This is a little related to the Conducting an Orchestra thread.

When you are preparing to conduct the orchestra how much time do you put into studying the score and making your own preparations before you get up on the podium for the first rehearsal?

Different pieces now require a dofferent of time. When I was first starting, i didn't know enough to really look for the same things I seek now so, I thought I was spending enough time but, well, you get the idea.


Does reading a score come easily to you?

It does now but not at first. That takes time. Best to start off with pieces for smaller ensembles if possible.

I have read a lot about Sir John Barbrolli recently and it appears that he spent hours and hours studying scores he was preparing to conduct (to the point where he damaged his health). Do you find it takes a lot more work than preparing a heavy reumpet recital?

No, but Sir John was a genius I'm far from it. Life is simpler when you're stupid.


I'm hoping to do a little conducting somewhere down the line and I wanted to get your take on how easy/difficult it was for a trumpeter to make the transition to conductor.

Conducting has taken the place of playing piano which I could never do. Your hands have to be good and expressive enough to do your talking for you without making you look like an idiot. You can only look like an idiot if you have proper management and the right high-profile jobs. Then, the ensembles you conduct are so top drawer that you can do whatever you wish and they'll sound good. That's why conducting groups that are inexperienced is so good for you. They do precisesly what you ask and you get what you give.