Trusting the ensemble - Charles Hazlewood

TL;DR

Trust between conductor and orchestra is essential for democratic music making, as demonstrated through personal anecdotes and experiences.

Transcript

I am a conductor and I'm here today to talk to you about trust my job depends upon it there has to be between me and the orchestra an unshakable bond of trust born out of mutual respect through which we can spin a musical narrative that we all believe in now in the old days conducting music making was less about trust and more frankly about coercio... Read More

Key Insights

• 🎼 Trust in the conductor-orchestra relationship is crucial for democratic music-making.
• 🇿🇦 Music has the power to build trust and bridge divides in diverse communities, as seen in South Africa.
• 🎼 South African music-making is characterized by freedom and improvisation.
• 🎼 The Para Orchestra project aims to showcase the musical potential of disabled individuals and change perceptions through music.
• 🎼 Trust is essential in music-making, without which the music loses its essence and meaning.
• ❓ Conductors rely on body language and trust to communicate effectively with orchestras.
• 🎼 Music transcends language and cultural barriers, fostering deep levels of trust and friendship.

Questions & Answers

Q: How has the role of a conductor evolved from being dictatorial to trust-based?

The conductor discusses how conductors in the past were dictators, but modern music-making relies on mutual trust and respect between the conductor and orchestra to create a democratic environment.

Q: What was the experience like for the conductor in building trust with a racially diverse orchestra in South Africa?

The conductor shares his experience of forming an opera company in South Africa, where music-making helped bridge racial divides and build trust within the group, despite past tensions.

Q: What insights does the conductor share about South African music-making and its freedom?

The conductor praises South African music-making for its freedom, attributing it to the lack of reliance on notation and the ability to trust one's ears for improvisation and harmony.

Q: How does the conductor aim to change perceptions through music with his Para Orchestra project?

The conductor introduces his Para Orchestra project, aiming to create Britain's first national disabled orchestra to showcase the musical potential of disabled individuals and build trust through music-making.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Conductor discusses the evolution of music making towards trust-based relationships instead of coercion.

• Shares experiences of building trust with orchestras and individuals through body language and mutual respect.

• Highlights the transformative power of music in building trust within diverse communities, such as in South Africa.