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On the Principles and Practice of Conducting
A practical manual for building musical understanding and physical
skills, intended for conductors at all stages of development.This book is a practical manual
for anyone who stands on a podium helping an ensemble make music. The four main chapters
address the major obligations of the (1) bringing the musical tones to life in
the most beautiful,most moving way possible; (2) freeing the mind to fully absorb all the
tones; (3) freeing the body of unnecessary tension; and (4) effectively using the freed mind
and body to influence the sounds. Each chapter begins with a summary of the underlying
principles, presents real-life applications, and offers exercises for developing skills.
Video demonstrations of the exercises as well as downloadable scores and parts are available
on a companion website. The parts, in multiple transpositions, allow for hands-on experience
where standard instrumental complements are unavailable. Markand Thakar, music director of
the Baltimore Chamber Orchestra, is an internationally renowned pedagogue of conducting. A
protege of the legendary Sergiu Celibidache and former assistant conductor of the New York
Philharmonic, Thakar is author of Looking for the "e;Harp"e; An
Investigation into Musical Beauty (University of Rochester Press, 2011) and
Fundamentals of Music Making (Yale University Press, 1990).
skills, intended for conductors at all stages of development.This book is a practical manual
for anyone who stands on a podium helping an ensemble make music. The four main chapters
address the major obligations of the (1) bringing the musical tones to life in
the most beautiful,most moving way possible; (2) freeing the mind to fully absorb all the
tones; (3) freeing the body of unnecessary tension; and (4) effectively using the freed mind
and body to influence the sounds. Each chapter begins with a summary of the underlying
principles, presents real-life applications, and offers exercises for developing skills.
Video demonstrations of the exercises as well as downloadable scores and parts are available
on a companion website. The parts, in multiple transpositions, allow for hands-on experience
where standard instrumental complements are unavailable. Markand Thakar, music director of
the Baltimore Chamber Orchestra, is an internationally renowned pedagogue of conducting. A
protege of the legendary Sergiu Celibidache and former assistant conductor of the New York
Philharmonic, Thakar is author of Looking for the "e;Harp"e; An
Investigation into Musical Beauty (University of Rochester Press, 2011) and
Fundamentals of Music Making (Yale University Press, 1990).
146 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 30, 2016
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