Sir Mark Elder

Sir Mark Elder has been Music Director of the Hallé since September 2000. He was Music Director of English National Opera (1979–1993), Principal Guest Conductor of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra (1992–1995) and Music Director of Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, USA (1989–1994). He has held positions as Principal Guest Conductor of the BBC Symphony Orchestra and the London Mozart Players. He has worked with many of the world’s leading symphony orchestras including the Berlin Philharmonic, Orchestre de Paris, Chicago Symphony, Boston Symphony, Los Angeles Philharmonic, Royal Concertgebouw, London Symphony and London Philharmonic Orchestras. He was appointed a Companion of Honour in the 2017 Queen’s Birthday Honours, was knighted in 2008, and awarded the CBE in 1989. More about Sir Mark Elder here.

Improving Ourselves on the Podium

This first lecture by Sir Mark Elder can also be found in Soft Skills, but as it is packed with many quotes of wisdom, we have decided to place it here as well, just in case you missed it. Sir Mark gives great advice on how conductors can improve themselves on the podium. As he talks about self-control, the importance of pulse, improving one’s quality of hearing and how to talk to the orchestra, he illustrates how both soft skills and technical skills are equally important when leading an orchestra.

Watch the video here or go to the YouTube version of the video to be able to navigate using a content index.

Le Nozze di Figaro

Here you can watch Sir Mark Elder work on the finale of Act 2 of Le Nozze di Figaro by Mozart with students from the RNCM.

Beethoven’s 8th symphony

Here you can watch Sir Mark Elder work on Beethoven’s 8th symphony with students from the RNCM.