Pleading the 5th, But Taking the 7th

A page from Beethoven's original manuscript of his 7th symphony.

It is as I feared expected. As of tonight I am now the official rehearsal conductor for the Kashima Philharmonic (fanfare not as bad as I'd expected).

At last week's rehearsal, our first attempt at Beethoven's 7th Symphony, our lead oboe player conducted. He spent the whole time griping since the very important lead oboe part was missing (his part, and he understandably wanted to play it). He asked me if I would do it, and I flat out declined, saying that I had no business trying to conduct that piece. However, after the rehearsal ended he suggested I start taking a good look at it so I could be ready to raise the baton when and if I was needed.

I did just that. Over the past week I listened to/watched several different performances of the 7th by different orchestras under different conductors. I spent hours with my nose buried in the score, and I tried conducting along with a video in the music office (which amused the students no end). I also had Mr. Ogawa give me some very important instruction in orchestra conducting technique, since my style still showed a very obvious jazz influence. I got myself all ready just in case the unthinkable happened.

Tonight's rehearsal had a lot of people missing including the lead oboe player. The principal players that were there started getting all fussy and frustrated at the lack of a conductor, so I asked them if they wanted me to do it. Their reaction showed that they'd been hoping I'd ask that. Needless to say, they were happy.

And so it went. I directed a piece I probably had no business directing for an orchestra that probably had no business playing it, but it was still strangely satisfying. We put in a good rehearsal. Even while holding up my own self-confidence by the scruff of its neck, I gave them lots of training and advice, and they responded to it well. After a while the first movement was actually sounding like we could pull it off. Then I decided to grit my teeth and try the second movement...the one that's technically easy but so brutally hard musically. I have to say...after going over it for a while they were actually giving it a pretty good shot. Still a very flawed gem half-buried in the dirt, but they were following me, they were getting it, and they were playing the piece.

When the rehearsal ended, the chairman of the executive committee asked me if I could continue conducting rehearsals from now on, at least until the professional conductor they hired showed up. I said I would, and they all applauded. I guess I have an important, new job with this outfit. It's an interesting challenge, to be sure.

There are a couple of problems, though. Conducting the orchestra means I won't be able to rehearse my own part. I'll probably have to step out and let one of the other clarinetists take over my position. There's also the fact that, since the professional conductor can only come once a month, I'll be bearing most of the rehearsal load but won't be appearing onstage. That's a rather frustrating prospect, as it'll be an extremely thankless job.



Oh, well. If the music comes out sounding even halfway right, we'll all have reason to be proud.