Well, it seems that you are interested in this topic.

-1-

So, let me ask you a question first:

What is your impression of the conductor during the concert?

Let me give you a few answers. If there is something not mentioned, please feel free to add:

1. The only person on the stage who only let me look at his back except bowing.

2 Use a stick to make random gestures.

3 Inexplicably high, I was jumping just now! rise! Come! Got it!

4 He comes on and off for a while, not knowing what he is busy with.

5 The arms swayed so much that they looked intoxicated.

The above is the first impression that those sitting in the audience usually have about the conductor.

However, as a senior orchestra player, I can tell you responsibly that there is a lot of information about the conductor that we can see that you cannot notice. For example:

1 Oops, the conductor just glared at me. I'm sorry, I made a fuss, and I have to be criticized again when I go back, which makes the baby feel miserable.

2 Get ready! Prepare! It's our turn! The conductor has been pointing fingers at us for a long time. We always make mistakes during rehearsals here, so we have to be careful this time.

3 Oh, such a swift gesture! This is faster than during rehearsal. Let’s go crazy together! Get ready, get up!

4 Hey, the conductor is high again, I can’t hold him back. Shake your head quickly and start walking!

5 Well, the conductor gave me a charming smile when he turned his face. It means that the solo performance just now was good, and I feel good! I smirked.

6 The conductor, with his palms upward, invited me to take a curtain call. Mallier stood up and bowed. Surface gesture: Thank you everyone. Inner barrage: Another surprise attack on me. I hate it. I'm so shy.

Well, that’s pretty much it. Finished speaking seriously, okay?

-2-

To be honest, when you step into the concert hall to enjoy the live performance of the orchestra, you must be eager to know what the conductor is planning?

To answer this question, we must first clarify the meaning of a conductor to an orchestra.

If the orchestra is compared to a person, then there is no doubt that the conductor is the brain.

From a technical perspective, the conductor determines how the orchestra's performance begins and ends, as well as basic issues such as the orderly insertion and counterpoint of each part.

From a higher level of performance, the conductor defines the performance texture and style of an orchestra.

All instructions from the conductor are transmitted to the performers through gestures and with the help of the baton.

Then, from the level of technology to performance, the signals revealed by the conductor from the "gestures" usually contain the following layers of information:

First, give Indication of speed and intensity.

Speed ??and intensity are the basic technical parameters of an orchestra's performance, and are also the most basic information for conductor's gestures. The instructions of these two messages can be divided into two categories to elaborate.

The first is the beginning of a melody, usually the conductor will signal it with a preparatory beat.

That is to say, before the official raising of hands begins, a preparatory shot will be made with extremely weak gestures or baton movements, similar to our usual slogan of "1, 2, 3, start". At this time, the speed and intensity of the preparatory beat are the conductor’s technical parameter instructions for this piece of music.

The second is the conversion of speed and intensity during the progression of the melody, which is the "crescendo/slow" and "crescendo/weak" in professional terms.

Then, the speed information will be reflected by the amplitude of the command movement. For example, if the conductor's movements become more stretched and open, it means getting slower, while if the movements become more and more compact, it means getting faster.

In addition to synchronizing the intensity information with the speed, the left hand is often used to indicate it.

For example, pressing down or pulling back with the palm of your left hand means that it is going to fade away, and sometimes the body of the conductor will even curl up to a certain extent, while raising the palm of your left hand upward means that it is going to fade away.

Second, give instructions for the entry and exit of each part, and unify the insertion, connection and counterpoint in the music.

An orchestra can be divided into several large parts. And each large voice is subdivided into many sub-voices. In every piece of music, not all parts will be played from beginning to end, and there will often be breaks in the middle.

Then, when you finish the break and start playing again, it involves counterpoint with other parts. At this point, you can determine the playing time by silently counting beats and measures. Among them, when important parts come in and out, the conductor will definitely use hand gestures to indicate it. Sometimes, the conductor will even make preparations in advance.

Therefore, the most important difference between orchestra performance and solo performance is to learn to read the conductor. Especially for parts like percussion, some special instruments often take a break for half a song, and then suddenly have to hit a few key beats. If you don't look at the conductor and count the wrong measures, the bubbles will be terrible.

Third, give an emotional tone.

A melody, excitement or depression, joy or sadness is recorded by the composer through musical notation. However, how excited or sad you are can be decided based on the conductor’s instructions at the scene. Of course, more often than not, it’s the enthusiasm of the audience that fuels the excitement.

However, the emotional tone of some key positions is determined by the conductor. For example, when there is a pause in the middle of a musical passage, how long is appropriate for a sad moment to be left blank depends on the conductor's on-the-spot decision-making. There is also the final ending. The long note will push the emotion to the climax, so how long it takes to finish is also decided by the conductor.

Every time, it may be different, and this is one of the important charms of enjoying live music.

Fourth, act cool and be stylish.

This is actually the performance style of different conductors. Some are calm and some are active. Just like the same warm music, some just sway their bodies slightly and hit the tune; some stand on tiptoes and dance with long sleeves; some actually jump up and show their teeth and claws.

Whether it is a conductor or a performer, on-site performance is actually a crucial factor in determining the quality of the performance. It is undeniable that the stronger the live performance, the more attractive it will be.

-3-

Finally, let’s talk about the command sequence that everyone doesn’t understand.

Generally speaking, when the concert starts and the conductor comes on stage, he will not step down between the pieces. However, there are a few exceptions:

1 The next piece is a concerto with a soloist on stage. At this time, in order to show respect, the conductor will step down from the stage and come on stage with the concerto to show invitation and welcome.

2 The next piece has a big change in the orchestra's composition, such as from a full band to a small band. At this time, the live set will be greatly adjusted, so the conductor will exit, and the irrelevant parts of the next track will also exit.

3 Some concerts will have hosts, such as popular concerts. There will be a long introduction between the music, and at this time, the conductor may also step down.

4 Intermission or end of the concert.

5 After the last piece of formal performance ends and before the end of the encore piece, the conductor will come and go frequently.

This means that the concert was originally over, but the audience responded too enthusiastically, applauded continuously, and strongly demanded an encore, so the conductor returned one after another. Because each piece may be the last piece of the entire concert, the conductor will step down from the stage after each piece, and then return to the stage for an encore or a formal curtain call.

That’s right, what’s important is this sense of refusing and welcoming. Only when the audience in the audience invites you again and again will the people on the stage be willing to give in half-heartedly. So, thank you for your cooperation.

In a concert, the conductor is definitely a highlight that cannot be ignored.

In most concert halls, the stage has only three sides with audience seats.

If you want to observe the conductor's movements or expressions up close, you may only be able to get a close look at the seats on the side.

However, it is not ruled out that there is also a stage with seats on all sides like the National Center for the Performing Arts Concert Hall.

So, if you read this article and become a little interested in conductor’s gestures. Next time you're in a concert hall, try purchasing a seat at the back of the stage.

In this way, while enjoying the music played by the orchestra, you can also look at the conductor's expressions and movements. Maybe, you will also discover some little secrets that you have not noticed before.

I am Qianqian, a girl determined to speak music in a down-to-earth language. I raise my hand to guarantee that all content is based on real life experiences and is not Baidu.

If you like it, you are welcome to watch my special topic "Talk about Music" to see more interesting and informative music things.