INTERACTION - conducting workshop with the critical orchestra
Patronage Deutsche Orchestervereinigung e.V.
under the auspices of the
Berliner Philharmonic
Konzerthaus Orchestra Berlin
German Symphony Orchestra Berlin
Radio Symphony Orchestra Berlin
supported by
ART MENTOR FOUNDATION LUCERNE
INTERACTION - the 7th conducting workshop with the critical orchestra took place from 16 February - 1 March 2009 in the Academy's Studiosaal.
Further information available at www.dirigentenwerkstattinteraktion.de
Interaction - conducting workshop with the critical orchestra is a project fostering the preparation for a conducting career from the perspective of the performing musician. It was initiated by Prof. Christhard Gössling, the director of the Academy of Music Hanns Eisler Berlin from 2000 to 2008, and Klaus Harnisch, former managing director of the conductors' forum of the German Music Council. In 2002 the conductors' workshop began as a "pilot project" at the Academy of Music Hanns Eisler Berlin. In a reversal of the everyday situation in the professional orchestra, the members of the "critical orchestra" give the students tips and advice from the practical perspective of the experienced orchestral player. Through their critical comments they express their basic musical expectations regarding beat, breathing, gesture and emotion, as well as leadership and inspiration, and they convey deeper insights into the development of technical musical performance and the process of musical expression.
"Most young conductors have problems making direct visual contact. They have to turn to the person from whom they want something. (...) Many use heroic gestures, practised in front of the mirror, which have nothing to do with the music. And they often conduct on the beat, instead of slightly ahead so that the players can react. There are lots of little things that annoy the players. Here they can be discussed at an early stage."
Prof. Christhard Gössling
The participants are advanced conducting students selected from international applications by a jury consisting mainly of musicians. The students prepare set works with the "critical orchestra", which is made up of principal players from top German orchestras. Christian Ehwald, conducting professor at the Academy of Music Hanns Eisler Berlin, serves as mentor to the students and as liaison in the artistic dialogue between conductors and players.
Interaction - conducting workshop with the critical orchestra is thus a third way in the training of conductors, alongside work with two pianos and with the full orchestra.
For more information please visit www.dirigentenwerkstattinteraktion.de
