G.P.

Interpretation Through Conducting Technique

Sasha Mäkilä — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 20:21:00 +0200

To make people better understand what conducting technique really is, I often give them the example of a situation, where someone has to replace an ailing conductor at a moment's notice, just before the concert. Of course, in the worst case the podium is taken by someone superficially familiar with the repertoire in question, who merely starts... Read Interpretation Through Conducting Technique

Orchestra Humor

Sasha Mäkilä — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 23:50:00 +0200

A Player's Guide for Keeping Conductors in Line by Donn Laurence Mills If there were a basic training manual for orchestra players, it might include ways to practice not only music, but one-upmanship. It seems as if many young players take pride in getting the conductor's goat. The following rules are intended as a guide to the development of... Read Orchestra Humor

Some Thoughts on Conducting Technique

Sasha Mäkilä — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 22:21:00 +0200

Recently I have started writing down my thoughts about conducting technique. The reason is, that even though the profession of conducting has been evolving for the past 150 years there still is much confusion among the music lovers and even musicians as to what a conductor actually does. Rehearsal techniques, podium charisma, and the actual... Read Some Thoughts on Conducting Technique

My Teachers Part 12: Leif Segerstam

Sasha Mäkilä — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 09:12:00 +0200

The finishing touches of my conducting education I received at the Sibelius Academy with professor Leif Segerstam. I would say he was my last big influence in conducting! He is a great artist with a mind flying sometimes so high it is difficult to catch. Of the Finnish conductors around these days he has without doubt the most perfect stick... Read My Teachers Part 12: Leif Segerstam

Orchestra Conductors in the Internet Age

Sasha Mäkilä — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 20:55:00 +0200

I got today a sudden inspiration from my colleague who lives in a different country. We had email correspondence after a long break and because there was actually more to say than was convenient to write on the email I asked if he has a Skype account so we could actually talk about these things. And *bang* - suddenly he was there, smiling on my... Read Orchestra Conductors in the Internet Age