I don’t talk about it much, but I am a committed student and devotee of Auturo Toscanini. I don’t talk about it because people have preconceived opinions about him, the ego, the temper tantrums at his orchestra, the extra-marital affairs. However, everything in its own time.
I look at his results. The performances, the books and letters of musicians that played in his orchestra and their admiration, despite the angry rage. His stand against fascisim. But mostly, his steadfast desire to reveal the composer’s intentions of a piece. His place was to be in service to the composer, and his results were masterful.
He had a remarkable ability to make an orchestral melody “sing.” (And not just slow a piece down to make it more “dramatic” to impress an audience of people that may not know the score.) He served the composer, not critics and not the audience. Very rare. Not sure how that works in this day and age. However, studying Toscanini’s conducting is a lesson in what to do, as much as what not to do, and much can be learned from his extraordinary life, even though he was a tyrannical leader. He certainly informed my personal mission statement as an arts administrator.
My Favorite Toscanini Quotes:
As told to musicians not playing a passage correctly:
After I die, I shall return to earth as a doorman of a bordello and I won’t let any of you enter.
Can’t you read? The score demands ‘con amore’, and what are you doing? You are playing it like married men!
Critics:
If you want to please the critics, don’t play too loud, too soft, too fast, too slow.
And:
I kissed my first girl and smoked my first cigarette on the same day. I haven’t had time for tobacco since.
