Blake Hinson

I think the issue comes from the concept of playing with a definitive click versus a gesture. When a conductor gives an instruction there is a necessary reflection period that takes place, and what the musicians have to play off of is not the best, but the distance between the beat.

Some orchestras play on top of the beat, and some behind, neither is a crime so long as the tempo reflects the conductors intent and desired character. The only musician on stage that doesn’t make a sound is the conductor, which further exemplifies how they indicate gesture more than anything else.

Commented on: 18 September 2019

Why do so many orchestras lag behind the beat?