Yes, today was the first day back after the holiday break for us at the Oregon Symphony. It was also a double rehearsal day, and I was dog tired when I headed for my car after the second rehearsal of the day. One of the interesting things about working in an orchestra is how you respond (or don’t) to the gestures of the conductor in front of you. Sometimes you see some pretty strange things. Like this for example – could you figure out what do to when faced with this downbeat(s)?
By the way, I’ll be on allclassical.org‘s Northwest Previews show tonight at 6 p.m. The topic? My guest blog post for the Portland Youth Philharmonic that went up this week. You can listen online if you’re not near a radio at the link above.
6 replies on “whaaaaat?”
Little know fact about that conductor…he had just come from a famous sushi bar in Badstikyu Province and eaten just a sliver too much fugu. Warrior that he was he made it to the hall, with the obvious results…
Holy Cats! I would have expected a freeway pileup… or stunned silence.
The band must have known to watch the concertmaster or summat.
Yikes.
Actually, I think the secret is to watch his LEFT hand – especially at the beginning for the opening quavers – try it with the sound turned off.
That baton definitely has a life of its own!
he needs badbeard brew to steady his shtick.
OMG, I laughed out loud…