The misunderstood maestro: The art of conducing, and why we don't get it

Unrestricted The role of the conductor in the contemporary symphony orchestra is frequently exaggerated and misunderstood by audiences, critics, and musicians alike. The conductor produces exactly zero notes, and during the course of a concert, their real-time affect on an orchestraʼs musical output is actually quite marginal. Because a conductorʼs baton is silent, and because musicians rarely execute a conductorʼs mistakes, audiences frequently judge conductors very differently than orchestral musicians. The following feature article addresses these issues by examining existing literature and scholarly studies. Through interviews with professional conductors and musicians, the article also looks broadly at the many responsibilities of todayʼs conductors, and addresses the cult of personality that often surrounds their profession.