“What we need to know is the complete package. We need to know that our next conductor is not only a top-notch professional musician, but also someone who has a good sense for concert programming, for understanding and working with the strengths and limitations of this orchestra, and all of that.”
John Driscoll
“Conductors must give unmistakable and suggestive signals to the orchestra, not choreography to the audience.”
George Szell
“He is not all musician; he is also part bus conductor in charge of a moving vehicle [who] dutifully hurries people off and onto it at designated intervals.”
Christopher Andreae
“The conductor has the advantage of not seeing the audience.”
Andre Kostelanetz
“Our conductors found it much easier to move a dog or a pet when they're not in a crate.”
Dan Brucker
“To the sound itself the conductor adds the italics and punctuation of gesture, of strained arms, of startling tautness of the shoulders, of brisk nod, of hands flung apart in some wild appeal to the universe.”
“Show me an orchestra that likes its conductor and I'll show you a lousy conductor.”
Goddard Lieberson
