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Vantaan viihdeorkesterin ylikapellimestari Nick Davies kirjoittaa blogivieraana työstään. Vantaan viihdeorkesterin (engl. Vantaa Pops) ohella Davies vierailee usein mm. Norjan radio-orkesterin, Göteborgin oopperaorkesterin ja Royal Philharmonic Orchestran johtajana. Suomessa hän on johtanut mm. Helsingin, Lahden ja Turun kaupunginorkestereita.
Kuvassa Nick Davies johtaa Vantaan viihdeorkesteria. Kuvaaja Jussi Aalto
NICK DAVIES:
A conductor’s working life
I am often asked questions regarding what exactly a conductor does and what does the working life of a conductor entail, so, I thought I could give some insight into exactly these questions.
First and foremost I will start by saying that there is much more to the conductor’s job than what audiences see on the concert platform. The story begins up to a year or so before when the planning of the concerts begins. In regards to Vantaa Pops, meetings are held between myself and the programming committee and ideas are discussed as to what choices we have and what types of programmes we would like to commit the orchestra to.
Once this has been worked through the next part of the process is to discuss solo artists who will perform with the orchestra. Once in place the programme can still be adapted to fit the requests of the solo artists but still keeping the focus on the original programme idea.
Finding suitable material, in terms of arrangements or hiring existing pieces is then undertaken and liaised through Paula Tuukkanen, our librarian. The types of programmes we do at Vantaa Pops, in terms of getting material, are far more complex than other orchestras playing classical music as very often music has to be specially arranged.
The next part of the preparation comes in discussing with our orchestra manager, Päivi Loponen, the dates and times that we need for rehearsals. This takes much adjustments as our musicians play in other professional orchestras and they naturally have their own time schedules and of course we want the regular members of Vantaa Pops to be able to play in our concerts as often as they can. This isn’t always possible, however, and that is why we have a ‘pool’ of regular top class players to call upon.
Finally, when the programme is in place, the artists and musicians are booked, the music is sourced and prepared it comes down to the rehearsal time when the orchestra, soloists and I get together a few days before the concert itself. We would all have had time to do our own preparation prior to this time so that we can work efficiently in the short time allocated in order to give the best performance for the pleasure of everyone, the audience and indeed ourselves!
The other question often asked or discussed is what exactly does a conductor do? There are many humorous quick answers to this if you ask musicians but at the end of the day there is a serious aspect which I can try to explain here.
A conductor gives a focal point to the players of the orchestra, a linch pin to hold the orchestra together. This is in both musical and in a way a physical sense. The work may start before the main rehearsals with smaller rehearsals with the soloists and then the main rehearsal process is lead by the conductor.
The best results from a good rehearsal period is very clear in the final performance and one of the main reasons for this is the trust that the conductor has in the orchestra and more importantly the trust they have in him or her. Like any relationship the only way to bring the best out of one another is to have respect and trust. This developes with time and in starting my second year as chief conductor with Vantaa Pops I’m delighted to say that our relationship is in a very good place and growing in the right direction all the time.
I hope this has given a little insight into the working life of a conductor and I look forward to many future performances with Vantaa Pops Orchestra especially for your entertainment and enjoyment, after all we are The Vantaa Entertainment Orchestra!!!
Nick Davies, ylikapellimestari
Vantaan viihdeorkesteri – Vantaa Pops Orchestra
