Score and podium : a complete guide to conducting / Frederik Prausnitz.
| Author/creator | Prausnitz, Frederik |
| Format | Book |
| Edition | First edition. |
| Publication Info | New York : W.W. Norton, ©1983. |
| Description | x, 530 pages : illustrations, music ; 24 cm |
| Subjects |
| Contents | Part one. The surface of music. Facts and instructions ; Organizing the evidence ; Probing: musical clues ; Probing: images/imagination ; Storing the information -- Principles and practice of the beat. Posture, pivots, the arm in motion ; The beat: qualities and functions ; The beat: functions and plain patterns ; The beat: subdivisions/compound and mixed patterns ; Beat and gesture -- Part two. Transforming the information. Points of contact: the role of detail ; Building blocks: musical shapes ; Stresses and structures: the harmonic function -- Communicating musical ideas. The application of the beat ; Conducting: varieties of control ; Conducting: yielding control -- Part three. The image in mind. Music and memory: time as rhythm ; Perspectives: the view from our century -- The instrument. Players and orchestras ; Orchestra and conductor ; Orchestra plus -- Conclusion. A unique way of being a musician. |
| Abstract | Drawing on his years on the podium and in the classroom, the author delineates the conductor's art in its two essential facets: profound understanding and command of the material (score) and the skills necessary to impart that understanding through gesture (podium). "Conducting is a unique way of being a musician." So begins this insightful study of a highly misunderstood craft. Drawing on his years on the podium and in the classroom, the author delineates the conductor's art in its two essential facets: profound understanding and command of the material (score) and the skills necessary to impart that understanding through gesture (podium). The book is organized so that the two halves of the conducting coin are presented side by side in gradually ascending order of difficulty. The constant interaction between the two fundamental aspects allows the young practitioner to develop a personal and informed approach to the music while acquiring a solid and communicative baton technique. Many standard repertory works are discussed in depth as a means of demonstrating the various ways by which the conductor may become informed of the composer's intentions. In addition, the text is profusely illustrated with line drawings of beat patterns, with music examples, and with annotated score excerpts. After systematically examining the entire spectrum of score and podium, the author devotes the final section of the book to practical questions of repertory, rehearsal schedules, and managerial details. A final chapter contains a concise description of the special problems and requirements inherent in conducting a chorus, an opera, or a ballet performance. |
| Bibliography note | Includes bibliographical references and index. |
| Biographical note | Frederik Prausnitz made his professional debut at age 23 with the Detroit Symphony, winning that orchestra's first prize for young conductors. After graduating from the Juilliard, where he studied with Jean Morel, he stayed on for several years as conductor, teacher, and administrator before moving to the New England Conservatory. He has conducted many of the world's great symphony orchestras and has recorded extensively on CBS, EMI, and Angel labels. Prausnitz was Music Director of the Syracuse Symphony before taking his present position at the Peabody Conservatory as the Director of the Conducting Programs. For the unusual spelling of his first name, he is indebted to an Italian poster printer, who omitted the 'c' on the occasion of his Roman debut. |
| LCCN | 82014342 |
| ISBN | 0393951545 |
| ISBN | 9780393951547 |
Availability
| Library | Location | Call Number | Status | Item Actions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Music | Music Stacks | MT85 .P73 1983 | ✔ Available | Place Hold |