The grammar of conducting : a comprehensive guide to baton technique and interpretation / Max Rudolf.

Author/creator Rudolf, Max
Other author Stern, Michael, 1959- author.
Format Book
Edition3rd edition / prepared with the assistance of Michael Stern.
Publication InfoNew York : Schirmer Books ; Toronto : Maxwell Macmillan Canada ; New York : Maxwell Macmillan International, ©1994.
Descriptionxvii, 481 pages : illustrations ; 26 cm
Subjects
Conducting--Instruction and study.

Contents Part one. Basic techniques. The neutral-legato pattern (4-beat). General training of the right arm ; The neutral-legato pattern (4-beat) ; The preparatory beat at the start ; Applying the gestures to musical exercises ; Emphasizing the beats by "clicking" ; Applying the neutral-legato pattern to musical examples -- Staccato patterns (4-beat). Light-staccato ; Full-staccato -- The expressive-legato pattern (4-beat) -- Starting on counts other than the first count. Starting on the fourth count ; Starting on the third count ; Starting on the second count -- The 3-beat. Neutral-legato and expressive-legato ; Light-staccato and full-staccato ; Starting on the second and third counts -- The 2-beat. Neutral-legato and expressive-legato ; Light-staccato and full-staccato -- The 1-beat. Neutral-legato ; Expressive-legato ; Staccato -- Dynamics and articulation. Changing the size of the beat for dynamic changes ; Changing the size of the beat in crescendo and decrescendo ; Using the left hand ; Using the left hand in crescendo and decrescendo ; Moving the right hand nearer to or farther away from the body ; Changing from legato to staccato and vice versa -- Starting after the count. Use of an extra beat -- The 6-beat. German style ; Italian style -- Subdivision. Eight beats in a measure ; Four beats as a result of subdivision ; Twelve beats in a measure ; Nine beats in a measure ; Six beats as a result of subdivision ; 1-beat with subdivision -- Number of beats in a measure. General considerations ; Simultaneous different rhythms ; Irregular measures ; Changing the number of beats for one or more measures ; Subdividing a single count -- 5-time, 7-time, and other asymmetric time patterns. 5-time with beats on each count ; 5-time with one, two, or three beats in a measure ; 7-time with beats on each count ; 7-time with three or four beats in a measure ; Various asymmetric time patterns ; 8 time with lopsided 3-beat ; 9-time with lopsided 4-beat ; 10-time with lopsided 4-beat ; 11-time ; 13-time -- Part two. Applications. Ritardando and accelerando. Tempo transitions by changing the number of beats in a measure ; Ritenuto -- The marcato pattern -- Rests. Rests at the beginning of a piece ; Rests at the end of a piece ; Rests in accompaniment -- The tenuto pattern -- Different uses for basic patterns. Neutral-legato ; Expressive-legato ; Light- and full-staccato ; Marcato ; Tenuto ; Legato and staccato simultaneously ; Simultaneous different dynamics ; Problems of orchestration -- Holds. Concluding holds ; Holds not followed by a rest ; Holds followed by rests ; Holds on rests ; Different note values under a fermata ; Interruptions -- Accents and syncopation. Accents ; Syncopation ; Without accents ; With accents ; Accents on off-beats ; Fp -- Phrasing. Sustained notes ; Shaping the melodic line -- Changes of the meter and tempo. Change of time signature without change of tempo ; Change of tempo with rhythmic relationship maintained ; Change of tempo without a rhythmic relationship -- Application of baton technique. Applying baton technique to the score ; The danger of overconducting ; Adjustments while in action -- Free style. Free style of conducting ; The art of accompaniment ; Aleatory music --
Contents Part three. Execution and performance. Achieving complete physical control. General appearance ; Field of beating ; Use of the eyes ; Independence and use of the left hand -- On preparation in general. Techniques in starting ; Cuing ; Preparation in its broader aspects ; Free preparatory gestures ; Preparation with subdivision -- Score study and preparation of orchestra materials. Purpose of score study ; Selecting the score ; Methods of score study ; On listening to recordings ; Memorizing a score ; Marking a score ; Preparation of orchestra materials ; Examination of materials ; Marking parts ; Bow making -- Rehearsal techniques. Rehearsal planning ; Efficient rehearsing ; Technical advice and its application in rehearsal ; The psychology of the conductor-orchestra relationship ; The conductor-soloist relationship ; Concluding remarks -- Conducting opera. Studying an opera score ; Performance practice in opera ; The singing voice ; Rehearsing opera ; Conducting in the pit -- Conducting choral works with orchestra -- Part four. Interpretation and style. Aspects of interpretation. Interpretation of a score ; Different attitudes to interpretation ; The quest for authenticity -- Choice of tempo. General considerations ; Application of a chosen tempo ; Tempo modifications ; Tempo relations ; Metronome indications ; Choice of tempo in historical context -- Aspects of performance practice. The study of performance practice and the question of traditions ; Changing of the composer's text ; Changing the orchestration ; Doubling ; Retouching versus arranging -- Aspects of musical style. Concepts of musical style and taste ; Baroque music ; Old versus modern instruments ; Haydn ; Mozart ; Beethoven ; Music in the Romantic era ; Schubert ; Mendelssohn ; Schumann ; Berlioz ; Wagner ; Brahms ; Bruckner ; Late Romantic music -- Recollections and reflections: on education, conducting, and a conductor's life in our time -- Appendix A. Discussion of complete works or movements -- Appendix B. Wagner's instructions regarding the performance of two of his overtures -- Appendix C. Carl Maria von Weber, overture to Oberon -- Appendix D. The first violin part of Mozart's symphony no. 35 in D major (K. 385), marked for performance.
Abstract The author proposes a course of baton training that allows the student to progress from simple to more exacting assignments, always applying baton technique to carefully chosen musical examples.
Local noteLittle-287510--305130049428$
Local noteLittle-294772--305131000970T
Bibliography noteIncludes bibliographical references (pages 470-472) and indexes.
LCCN 93012310
ISBN0028722213 (alk. paper)

Availability

Library Location Call Number Status Item Actions
Music Closed Stacks - Ask at Circulation Desk MT85 .R8 1993 ✔ Available Place Hold
Music Music Stacks MT85 .R8 1993 ✔ Available Place Hold