The job of the guest conductor is one that calls for
multiple levels of diplomatic skill and communicative facility: something akin
to labor negotiator or foreign ambassador. If you are new to the orchestra, you
need to communicate your authority and knowledge within your first few minutes
in front of the musicians. It's not unlike the rule of theater: if the audience
doesn't get the play in the first eight minutes, it's over.
But you can't be too authoritative, and you can't be too
much of a know-it-all. You have artists in front of you who were playing
Beethoven 3 before you were born. You think you have something new to convey?
Get over yourself.
You need to be collegial, but not too familiar. You need to
be sure of what you want, but not overbearing about it. You need to be
creative, but not eccentric. And you need to rehearse a lot of music in not
much time - and make it sound exquisite when the audience is in the seats.
And then you fly off to lead the next group of strangers.
Of course, in another time, conductors conducted with an
iron hand. Or not. Sir Thomas Beecham said the only duty of the conductor was to
make sure the musicians started together and ended together.
Guest conductors are evaluated by the musicians, which is
part of the process of determining as to whether a guest is re-engaged or not.
A few years ago the Dallas Symphony actually posted musicians' comments from conductor
evaluations on its website, which made for some intriguing reading.
We're not so daring here, but I did pick up a conductor evaluation
form left near a copier the other day. I'll share with you "Conductor
Adjectives." This part of the form explains "Below is a list of descriptive
terms. Please circle any you think apply to this candidate. Feel free to
elaborate or invent new terms."
I especially like the invention of new terms. How about "expressivistic,"
meaning "ability to express one's vision"? Or "systemicplorer," meaning "explores
new musical ideas through a systemic method."
Anyway, these are the "Conductor Adjectives":
Inspiring
Autocratic
Methodical
Dull
Collaborative
Organized
Visionary
Convincing
Talkative
Meticulous
Musical
Eloquent
Annoying
Exciting
Efficient
Flippant
Insecure
Humorous
Incompetent
Overeager
Manipulative
Fair-minded
Charismatic
Energetic
Clear thinking
Insincere
Stubborn
Inconsistent
Self-important
Fun
Angry
Superficial
Brilliant
Intelligent
