Through the Opera Glasses - 62 - Courage to Climb Higher

It's probably hard to imagine that orchestra conductors don't emerge fully-formed from the womb in white tie and tails.

However, these elite artists have to train like anyone else in order to harness the potential of a live performance.

While I was rooting around on You Tube some time ago for pieces from Stravinsky's Apollo, I came across this clip of a young conductor learning his craft. He takes the orchestra through the second Apollo variation, one of my favorite pieces of music, during a masterclass with Russian conductor Yuri Simonov.

Artists are forever fine-tuning their techniques. Learning and growing should never end for those of us who create. The key is to never confuse instruction with a message of not-good-enough. Embrace refinement of your craft. Find the courage to climb higher.



Travis Cody says "Embrace refinement of your craft. Find the courage to climb higher." I could put that on my 3x5 card I keep in my wallet. That is outstanding advice.

Shelley Munro says I've never thought of a conductor needing to learn his craft before. I don't know why. Maybe I thought they popped out of the womb ready to go. *shaking head*

Janet says I agree with Travis - fantastic advice, Julia. You might just see that on Inspiration Wednesday one of these days - I'm cut/pasting it into my quote document :)