I have two films of Beecham conducting the 'Prague' symphony (K504): in Montreal in 1956, and in Chicago in 1960 after a major illness which had forced him to withdraw from a 'Trojans' revival at Covent Garden . It's fascinating to compare his gestures, the first expansive and varied, thumb in waistcoat pocket, head and shoulders weaving in sympathy with the music, etc. the second almost nothing but the baton moving, but the result from the orchestra is much the same.
Another conductor on film close to his end is Paul Hindemith, also in Chicago the year before he died, conducting his own Concert Music for Brass and Strings . I was impressed by his economical and consistent gestures. One feels as if he would always make the same gestures at the same points; a most professional impression.
Another conductor on film close to his end is Paul Hindemith, also in Chicago the year before he died, conducting his own Concert Music for Brass and Strings . I was impressed by his economical and consistent gestures. One feels as if he would always make the same gestures at the same points; a most professional impression.
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