robbielink
I don't enjoy going to #orchestra concerts with a conductor. I end up watching the conductor since that is often my job. It makes the #music too predictable. Hard to be surprised. I prefer conductorless ensembles - both for playing and listening. The musicians play differently without a conductor.
Mar 16 at 12:43pmWeb
Show threadJulian LamMar 16

@[email protected] I initially wrote a different reply aimed for a non-musician but on re-read that's not you 🙂

I'd say if the conductor takes you out of the performance, then try your best to focus on the music without the visual component (e.g. closing your eyes, etc.)

As a musician it's also my job to watch the conductor but I like to watch purely to see if my interpretation differs from that of the conductor!

Show threadrobbielinkMar 16
@julian Yes - excellent point. But this performance was by a group I usually play with (passed this concert on to a friend) and is usually conductorless. I wanted to enjoy watching AND listening to my friends perform. But it was eye opening to see how differently they interacted and played together because there was a conductor standing up front.
Show threadShaula WalkoMar 17

@robbielink

Your post reminded me of a group I was in several decades ago. Every Christmas season we would play Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus and we would have a member of the audience come up and conduct it. I can’t remember how the audience member was chosen. Fun times though. 😊

Anyway, back to your point—I understand. Enjoyed your post.

Show threadrobbielinkMar 18
@shaulawalko Yes - fun times. Especially when it's a little kid that comes up. Thanks!