Marin Alsop reveals 10 things in a conductor’s brain during a symphony concert

What’s it like in a conductor's brain? Star of the podium, Marin Alsop, reveals all the things she's thinking about as she conducts a symphony orchestra.
We spoke to Marin backstage at London’s Southbank Centre, just a few hours before she stepped on stage to perform with Classic FM’s Orchestra on Tour, the Philharmonia Orchestra.
Subscribe: clssicfm.co/SubscribeToClassicFM
- Visit the Classic FM website classicfm.com
- Listen to Classic FM clssicfm.co/listenlive
Classic FM Playlists
-Classic FM | Discover Instruments: bit.ly/2Xy8fGN
-Classic FM | Sessions: bit.ly/2OtjvjV
-Classic FM | Explains: bit.ly/332UOzS
-Classic FM Hall Of Fame | Top 10: bit.ly/35no5af
Classic FM on socials
- Facebook / classicfm
- Twitter / classicfm
- Instagram / classicfm

[@stratiastratiev]

This woman has such a beautiful energy. Also her depth in the work, it's astonishing.

[@madavi6321]

Marin alsop is my hero, i love her so much..she is a true genius.. thank you so much maestra!you are an angel!

[@GageTheMan]

I could listen to this woman all day long.

[@Anthostomella]

Thank you Marin and your deep understanding of music interpretation

[@stefanlee2269]

I found this clip through the Cliburn. Listening to her Conductor's mind, I can understand clearly why Yunchan Lim's Beethoven and Rachmaninoff was great under her conduct, and why she was so moved after she finished the performance with Yunchan. Marian Alsop and Yunchan Lim's Rach 3 contains all 10 categories she explained here in near perfection. She just put this out in May, and realized her theory in June with a youngest participant, how can't she be moved and make us moved too? Great conductor!

[@benedictnothing]

It's amazing how much of a psychologist a conductor needs to be.

[@michaelfoxbrass]

You’re absolutely right - and even more so, an alchemist!
There’s a depth of knowledge, purpose, and intent incumbent on the conductor that requires an understanding of the composer, the piece, the era and style, and all technical capabilities of the instruments, but the distinguishing characteristic of great conductors is their ability to connect to and lead individual musicians with the audience in such a way that they are unified into a whole experience.
This is why to me, a live orchestral performed has the potential to become life-changing. I’ve been fortunate to be an audience member hearing many great orchestras accomplish this!

[@SyenPie]

@@michaelfoxbrass Alchemist! That's a great analogy

[@JohnMcCulloch75]

She's so amazing, I'm extremely fond of her and her work, and watched her conduct in São Paulo and in Bethesda.

[@beonlife3283]

Thanks for mentioning the audience's contribution, I think the quality of energy exchange is magically felt, and I remember these words:"Keine Kunst ohne Widerhall" - especially true for music. Nice insights into the thought process!

[@KD-lf5vn]

And there's the amazing young Sth Korean pianist, Lim Yunchan, in the clip - how incredible he was under Marin Alsop's baton, playing Rachmaninoff.
On another note, I see a comment complaining about Conductor Alsop's use of the Pride banner. Rather than seeing it as embarrassing and cultish, I greatly applaud it. I applaud that a significant artist makes visible the contribution of the rainbow community to the arts. And, I suggest, it doesn't bother those who aspire to play under her baton, and the audiences who long to be in a performance she conducts.

[@HappyPandaP]

Really enjoyed this and so grateful for her insightful comments on the movie TAR.
I was also very concerned and alarmed by that film in so many ways. Marin spoke so eloquently about why we should all be concerned about it.

[@mistychenoweth9716]

Just watched “The Conductor”. Wonderful.

[@esperanzaperezvazquez430]

Excelente, por favor podrían poner subtitulos en español. Gracias.

[@CS-px9rr]

"The pulse of the piece has to be...perfect" the length of the pause between "be" and "perfect" had more artistry and better judgement than some entire performances by others....

[@XX-fq8kp]

BRAVA ! ❤

[@Redrios]

Jesus! I know that "what to eat" thought feel: it only come when your are comfortable enough to let your ideas wander and then present to you in the stable thought-question whilst also doing tour thing. It's very rare indeed. Maybe during practices? lol

[@julia-hj8rb]

Colon 😂

[@peterectasy2957]

she must have a germans roots, may she does know about this yet

[@roblancs]

Take that embarassing pride flag off your logo, it's desperate, cultish and not wanted.

[@roblancs]

@@emmanuelsebaali1767 "yeah"

[@KD-lf5vn]

Marin Alsop is not the embarrassment here.

[@AP47735]

They could honestly care less about what you think and want

[@ayoutubeviewer]

Bro, how is this about pride??????