Improving Ourselves on the Podium

In the video below you can watch Sir Mark Elder give 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.

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 information can be found at https://www.grovesartists.com/artist/sir-mark-elder/ 

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