A Dictionary for the Modern Conductor [Hardcover]

Art isnt easy, and neither is pulling it all together in modern musical conducting. Brown touches upon as many aspects as possible relating to this topic, covering everything from the simple a (the pitch that is sounded for tuning an orchestra) to influential conductors such as Jaap van Zweden, principal conductor of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra. Included are eight appendixes covering conducting history; specifics on instruments, rhythm, and pitch; and an analysis of Six Pieces That Changed Conducting, with musical chart excerpts included. Verdict: This volume offers a worthwhile symphonic exploration of the conductors craft.[T]his new work by Brown offers many unique terms, revealing a trove of information about the practice and ethos of conducting. ?The entries vary in length from concise definitions to long entries for musical terms that have particular implications for conducting practice alongside substantial biographical-historical entries for prominent individuals, institutions, corporations, and publications. ?Especially interesting is the author's advice conveyed in exemplary entries such as Conducting from memory, Monteux's Rules for Young Conductors, or Psychology of the conductor-orchestra relationship. ?Timely matters of technology and communication are also covered (e.g., Blu-ray disc, Google Play Books, International Music Score Library Project, and the sensational YouTube Symphony Orchestra). ?The book's practical aspects are revealed in entries on instruments, listing their characteristics and ranges (including transposition tables for horn and trumpet), conducting gestures (illustrated by black-and-white drawings), and musical terms with cross-references for synonymous English, French, German, Italian, and Spanish concepts. ?Eight appendixes on historical and practical topics round out the volume. . . .[T]he volume makes a worthy addition to the personal collections of student and professional conductors and to libraries sulc)