The Art of Conducting: A Guide to Essential Skills

Table of Contents:
Preface. 1 The Conductor 2 Preparation 3 Technique 4 Interpretation 5 The Rehearsal 6 Organization and Programming 7 The Performance. Appendices A The Orchestra B Orchestration C Preparation of Manuscript Copy D Performing a work: check-list. Bibliography Composer Index Index

About the Author :
JOHN LUMLEY, professor of vascular surgery in the University of London and honorary consultant surgeon to St Bartholomew's Hospital, London, and author of a number of medical texts, is probably the least formally qualified person ever to write a book on conducting. However, his extensive conducting experience in his extra-medical life (as a music-marker extraordinaire), his deep knowledge of music and performance, his remarkable analytical ability and his talent as a teacher combine to make him - as this book aptly demonstrates - most successful in his wish to assist others in developing The Art of Conducting. NIGEL SPRINGTHORPE specialized in conducting at the University of Surrey and was subsequently awarded a place at the Royal College of Music to continue hisstudies under Norman Del Mar and Sir David Willcocks. Whilst at the Royal College, he jointly won the Adrian Boult conducting prize. He has been Musical Director of several operatic societies and has worked with Gemini Opera and Brent Opera as chorus master. He has also had a long association with the Merton Youth Orchestra. He is conductor of the Harrow Choral Society and is Musical Director of the Amici Chamber Orchestra and Choir.

Review :
I HAVE NEVER tried to teach conducting nor, apart from a brief spell in the Second Conducting Class at the Royal College in the early 1930s, have I had any conducting lessons. Two books have interested and helped me: Hermann Scherchen's thorough and typically German treatise and Sir Adrian Boult's much simpler manual. However, there must be many musicians, young or not so young; who, captured by a longing to conduct or faced with the necessity of doing so, would like information upon all aspects of conducting from first picking up a baton to the moment which we all dream about: the successful conclusion of a concert or an operatic performance. The authors of The Art of Conducting have produced a book which is practical and encouraging, have left no dark corners un-illuminated and, mercifully, have never claimed that the light shone will magically transform itself into the spotlight of stardom. If you sincerely wish to help other musicians towards truthful music-making and if you will read this book carefully you will find what it says most helpful. I wish the book and those who read it every success. Sir Charles Groves