CONDUCTOR

The conductor is the key person responsible for directing the musicians in the performance of a musical work. He puts the multiplicity of instrumental sounds in order while providing interpretation for the music.

HISTORY
Conducting became a full-time virtuoso profession only in the 19th century although it had existed for a long time in history. In earlier times, the keyboard player or a concert master often acted as the conductor by functioning as a time beater. They achieved this either by beating time with their hands, by tapping the violin bow or by a steady background beat on the keyboard.

Eventually, conducting became a profession in itself due partly to the efforts of composer-conductors to achieve higher standards of performance. Also, in the 19th century, music had elevated to a higher position in the arts than before. Composers began to write increasingly complex music that demanded more and more skilful musicians. This fostered the rise of the virtuoso conductor - one who could hold all the forces together and make interpretive sense of the sounds.

QUALIFICATIONS OF THE MODERN CONDUCTOR
Although in principle, the modern conductor is concerned with maintaining a rhythmically united performance from the orchestra, he also needs to control all the abstract aspects that influence the performance. Thus his qualifications include mastery of at least one instrument, an extended study of orchestration and wide musical knowledge including composition. He should also have a distinguishing talent for interpretation, so that he can understand the will of the composer as captured in the score and best bring out the essence of the musical work.The conductor should have a sense of pitch in his mind, so that when the actual rendition does not come up to the standard fixed in his musical imagination, he will set about attaining that ideal during the rehearsal. It is therefore necessary that he knows the score thoroughly. This allows him to hold the eyes of the musicians and thus control the fine points of interpretation.

It is important that the conductor possesses a charismatic or attractive personality. As soon as he gets on the podium, he must become the center of attention. His gestures and expressions should be easily understood by the musicians so that they can understand his musical instructions. At the same time, the conductor needs to guide the audience in their appreciation of the music.


GENERAL TECHNIQUES OF CONDUCTING
Posture
The body position should be comfortable. Stand with legs apart, knees slightly bent and back straight. The arms should be lifted up straight out in front of the body.

The right hand is generally used to indicate the meter (the number of beats) and tempo. It moves in recognised pattern in groups of two, three, four or more beats.

The left hand is to signal entries of different instruments and to communicate musical aspects such as increases or decreases in volume.

The Baton
The baton is a stick of about 12 inches long, made of light wood, with a pear-shaped handle of a size that fits the particular hand and allows the thumb and first finger to maintain contact with the shaft.

It is the conductor's technical instrument used to beat time and indicate poise and tempo. It becomes a continuation of the arm, amplifying the conductor's expressions and gestures accordingly. The conductor's gestures should be projected to the tip of the stick. At times, the conductor may prefer not to use the baton as it creates a certain rigidity, which may not be very appropriate for a delicate music piece. Thus, the usage of the baton is subject to the discretion of the conductor.

TIME-BEATING IN THE RIGHT HAND
This diagram illustrates time-beating in three.



FINAL WORDS
The skill of conducting is as varied as music itself since conducting styles vary greatly among different conductors. In the creative element of conducting, there can be no specific expressions and gestures. They are developed according to the mutual relationship and understanding between the orchestra and the conductor.