The Silent Musician by Mark Wigglesworth
The conductor--tuxedoed, imposingly poised above an orchestra, baton waving dramatically--is a familiar figure even for those who never set foot in an orchestral hall. As a veritable icon for classical music, the conductor has also been subjected to some ungenerous caricatures, presented variously as unhinged gesticulator, indulged megalomaniac, or even outright impostor. Consider, for example: Bugs Bunny as Leopold Stokowski, dramatically smashing his baton and then breaking into erratic poses with a forbidding intensity in his eyes, or Mickey Mouse in Fantasia, unwittingly conjuring dangerous magic with carefree gestures he doesn't understand. As these clich s betray, there is an aura of mystery around what a conductor actually does, often coupled with disbelief that he or she really makes a difference to the performance we hear.The Silent Musician deepens our understanding of what conductors do and why they matter. Neither an instruction manual for conductors, nor a history of conducting, the book instead explores the role of the conductor in noiselessly shaping the music that we hear. Writing in a clever, insightful, and often evocative style, world-renowned conductor Mark Wigglesworth deftly explores the philosophical underpinnings of conducting--from the conductor's relationship with musicians and the music, to the public and personal responsibilities conductors face--and examines the subtler components of their silent art, which include precision, charisma, diplomacy, and passion. Ultimately, Wigglesworth shows how conductors--by simultaneously keeping time and allowing time to expand--manage to shape ensemble music into an immersive, transformative experience, without ever making a sound.
| SKU | Unavailable |
| ISBN 13 | 9780226622552 |
| ISBN 10 | 022662255X |
| Title | The Silent Musician |
| Author | Mark Wigglesworth |
| Condition | Unavailable |
| Publisher | The University of Chicago Press |
| Year published | 2019-03-21 |
| Number of pages | 264 |
| Cover note | Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary. |
| Note | Unavailable |