Are the musicians really paying attention to the conductor?
Many people wonder what the conductor is really doing, waving a baton and gesturing to the orchestra. Although it’s often hard to tell, the conductor is giving the musicians a great deal of information, such as tempo (how fast or slow), dynamics (how loud or soft), phrasing (indicating the energy of a musical line), and most importantly, when to start and stop. There are also many other more subtle things the conductor is indicating, such as the balance between different instruments or sections of the orchestra, the articulation of a rhythm, and the style in which he or she wishes to have the music played. Often, the conductor is simply reminding the musicians of things that were discussed in rehearsal. On many stages, it is difficult for one side of the orchestra to hear what is happening on the other side, so the conductor serves to unite everyone. In a concerto, when a soloist is performing in front of the orchestra, the conductor becomes truly crucial. Since the soloist is projecti
