What does a conductor actually do? How much effect does he or she have? Can the orchestra manage without one? Why dont the players look at the conductor more? Is it necessary for the conductorto play every instrument? What about interpretation? What happens at rehearsals? Why do some conductors "thrash around" more than others? Whos the boss in a concerto: the soloist or the conductor? These are some of the questions that receive lively and informative answers in this book by renowned conductor Christopher Seaman. Composed of short articles on individual topics; it is accessibleand easy to consult. Each article begins with an anecdote or saying and ends with quotations from musicians; often expressing opposing views. There are many books on the art of conducting; but none like this. Music lovers wondering what the figure on the podium actually does; and aspiring conductors eager to learn more about the art and craft of leading an orchestra; will all treasure this wise yet humorous book. Christopher Seaman has been successful at both ends of the baton. After four years as principal timpanist of the London Philharmonic Orchestra; he was appointed principal conductor of the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra and has enjoyed a busy international conducting career for over forty years. He is now Conductor Laureate for Life of the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra; New York; and he continues to bring great music and wise words to audiences; students; and readers around the world.
#1576619 in eBooks 2013-06-30 2013-06-30File Name: B00D5FOE68
Review
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Good bookBy BAS98From a very good; first person opening; writer Jesse Fink pursues the Young brothers; whose chops and work ethic lie at the heart of AC/DC. Unfortunately; as the book progresses it becomes moire aboiuyt the Young brothers; and the Youngs dont cooperate with outsider journalists; even those who are self professed fans. Fink is a good writer; who has written a good book but as many old former insiders he talks to; be never gets inside the Youngs. As any self respecting fan Fink has his own strong opinions; most of which (the bands first albums are by far their best work; Bon Scott was a much better singer than Brian Johnson) are unobjectionable. Its too bad Fink didnt keep up the terrific first person focus of the first chapters. That would have been a better story and a better book.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. VERY GOOD READ; NICE TO HEAR FROM PEOPLE THAT WHERE THERE FROM THE START....................By Edward J. mccarthy Jr.good read; i bought this becouse i had heard a lot about this book being so honest and all the inside stories and what not regarding the youngs seem very credible from sources that worked very close with them especially way back in the 1970s ( esp the bon years) and into the mid 80s when things where kind of on the down swing with records like fly on the wall who made who; one problem i had with this read is the author doing an amazing job going all the way back to 1974/75 and throwing a host of names i to have heard over the last near 40 years of being an ac/dc fan on who really was the drummer wich one played on what during 74/ early 75 until phil rudd was brought in for good; NO MENTION OF PHILS 1983 REPLACEMENT SIMON WRIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! who would remain w/ acdc and do almost three ( but not the best ones) records with the band from 1985 through 1988!!!!!!!!! it seems most every member who was ever in ac/dc gets mentioned here even chris slade; anyway i thought the flick of the switch record in 1983 turned out great due to its rawness and the tour was awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! simon had big shoes to fill at only 20 years old in 1983 and i thought he did really good. anyway the rest is still a bit of hear say as there is not much proof of anything that comes out of this book but as i said i think some of those big names the author got to interview for this book is about as close as you will get to what the real goings on are behind the ac/dc machine; anyway i pass no judgement but the youngs are not fan friendly at all but after almost 45 years of rocking the world they are very private wich i can respect HOWEVER during the 1993 black hawk down story and regarding how the elite us team member survived being locked up in somalia and surviving especially as hells bells where being blasted at where he was captured and the guy still swears that song got him through the ordeal only to come home safe and be the only survivor and asking the youngs for permission to use hells bells and not get an answer and then be told by there legal team NO as is usually the answer was cold i felt BUT brian johnson came to the rescue on that one and in true johnson fashion like the fan friendly class act he is got the guy what he wanted wich was great. anyway i think the youngs will always remain a mystery unless well ANGUS writes a tell all or whatever after ac/dc is finally done wich i sadly hope they are becouse axel/ dc does not work for me; anyway great read; it was hard to put down once i got started.....................................also yes i am one who strongly feels 1978s powerage is about the best ac/dc record but im in a tie w/ let there be rock as both are just flawless pre mutt lange ac/dc sound; highway to hell was the best mutt lange produced ac/dc record i felt..................5 of 5 people found the following review helpful. The Best Book Ever Published on AC/DCBy D. DuttonYou know the rock bios that are based on a pile of Rolling Stone profiles and whatever else can be cut-n-pasted from the internet? The ones that you turn the pages and mutter; "I know all of this information . . . Ive heard all of these stories before; isnt there anything new here?"This isnt that kind of rock bio. Jesse Fink has done a masterful job of digging into the bands past and bringing new stories to light from unexpected places. Anyone else expecting that wed ever hear from the bands long lost drummer who played on "High Voltage"? I sure didnt; and hes got great stories to tell. Thats just the tip of the iceberg here.And lets face it: no one before Jesse had approached the AC/DC story by considering it as a family business; which it is and has been for many decades.All in all; a satisfying read that will be enjoyable whether youre an AC/DC fan or not. Highly recommended.