Last week, the Minnesota Orchestra announced their choice for their new Pops conductor — Sarah Hicks. She was the first ever female staff conductor, and has moved into what appears to be the niche she’s chosen for her conducting career.
More info here.
Also, there was an “exclusive to the Sunday paper” story yesterday in the Minneapolis Star Tribune that included much more about Hicks and her views about Pops, about classical music, and on the Minnesota Orchestra. My favorite quote of hers: “I can’t conduct Bruckner. I don’t get it, and I never will.”
How can she say she “never” will? Sometimes a composer and his voice in music does find its way into the heart after living through more experiences….
1 response so far ↓
Elizabeth T // October 21, 2009 at 5:10 am |
I sometimes find this is an effort to sound authoritative, as if they really know themselves and their personal abilities. (in fact I think it conveys the direct opposite)
Or perhaps they try to emphasize something with absolutes.
I suppose I could say I’ll never conduct it, in the sense that I’ll really never be capable of it, no matter how hard I try. I would likely be right. I would base that opinion on other limitations regarding music. I find it neigh unto impossible to be able to hear the different voices when listening to more than 2 voices. I just can’t. I’ve tried. It’s a pain in the you-know-where when singing with a choir. I find I can listen to myself and one other person, when it’s a very small group. Or my voice with one other group (e.g. me on Alto, and you on Soprano). But with an entire orchestra? I can’t.
But based upon “understanding” the music? You’re right … how could someone, especially a professional musician, say this?