London Symphony Orchestra conducting masterclass

We take a look at one of orchestral music's greatest mysteries; just what is it a conductor does? We speak to the three participants of a recent LSO conducting masterclass, who under the guidance of Principal Conductor Valery Gergiev share their views about what makes a great conductor.

Featuring the music of Rachmaninoff and Mahler.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• classical
• music
• london
• symphony
• orchestra
• LSO
• valery
• gergiev
• conducting
• conductor

[crotchet66]

Can we know the names of the young talented conductors who took part in the masterclass?

[LondonSymphonyOrch]

Hi Crotchet - they're named in the captions, but they are, in order: Andrew Gourlay, James Lowe and Ewa Strusinska.

[vic225]

will there be a DVD of the masterclass like the previous one in the Gergiev festival???

[LondonSymphonyOrch]

Hi vic225, there are currently no plans to produce a DVD of this masterclass I'm afraid, but I'll pass on your request! LSO admin

[groovybassline]

Being a conductor seems to be so complex and stressful...even as a musician I'd assume I'd have to learn all the gestures in University...

[PlatypusofCalifornia]

Gergiev is excellent, What he was cueing with his face was rach's 3rd symphony, an extremely underperformed work he has done numerous times, I remember hearing that violin solo with gergiev conducting in a documentary on rachmaninoff and hearing it in my head later a million times.

How frequently does he do these masterclasses, I've conducted for two years now and such an experience would be as you can imagine, great.

[dontevenstartme]

@groovybassline There aren't a set of gestures. Its not like learning to park a plane with those ping pong bat things lol. Basically there are basic moves for beats in different times but these become varied by each conductor. A good conductor is a great communicator and uses a bank of his own gestures to convey what he needs to the orchestra.

[McFlury9687]

Wonderful. Where do some of these students  Study at?

[Lso]

@robertofiore Hi Roberto. The masterclasses are restricted to UK residents or those studying here, but have a look at our website lso[DOT]co[DOT]uk[forward-slas­h]conducting as applications are open now for the 2011 masterclass.

[Lso]

@kklocket2 hi - as per comment below yours it's Rachmaninov Symphony No 3 and Symphonic Dances as well as Mahler 6.

[robertofiore]

Hi I am Roberto Fiore from Italy, how I can partecipate to the next masterclass?

It was amazing

[kklocket2]

What were the pieces played throughout this video? They sound truly amazing, especailly after reading it was music from Rachmaninov and Mahler. I caught Mahler's 6th toward the end.

[Lso]

@unitednerdsbeproud you're welcome! We recorded all 3 Rach symphonies not long after this video for our record label LSO Live. No 2 is out now with Nos 1 & 3 to follow soon-ish. Look out for them!

[unitednerdsbeproud]

@Lso Thanks so much!!! I've only just discovered no 1 and 2 so perfect timing! :D

[Lso]

@unitednerdsbeproud there's Rachmaniov Symphony No 3 as well.

[unitednerdsbeproud]

Apart from Rachmaninov's Symphonic Dances and Mahler 6, what other music was included in this video?