Performing with a conductor

[stravinskylover]

Hello everyone!

I won a concerto competition (and for those of you who read my post in the Miscellaneous section, this is not the one I am competing in a few months. Also, I am given time to practice Schumann, so don't get me wrong) so I have to perform with an actual orchestra! I am so happy and excited!

I need tips on how to perform with a conductor, and how it is different from with an accompanist. I am completely unfamiliar with performing with a real orchestra.

[cometear]

Congratulations! I'm not too sure on how to help though.

[snoa]

Though I play piano, and I've played in an orchestra, I haven't done both together (I played cello in orchestra, not piano) so I can only hypothesize here so bear with me xD

If you get any practice time beforehand with the orchestra before the performance, familiarize yourself with how the conductor does things. While there are "official" ways to count off the tempo and signal decrescendos, crescendos, allegros, ritardandos, and the end of the piece, every conductor has their own quirks. I remember when I played with a different conductor than I was used to, she signaled a decrescendo by lowering her baton almost to waist level and counting off the tempo there, which out of the corner of my eye looked WAY too similar to how my old conductor signaled us to stop playing (waving the baton and then dropping his hands to his side), so me and everyone else who wasn't used to that looked like an idiot when we stopped playing during practice; it happened a few times too xD

Also talk to the conductor if you have the chance, see what modifications they're making to the piece, if any, in terms of dynamics, so you can be ready for it.

Learn your piece well, preferably by heart, so you can look at the conductor without stopping if you need to, make sure you keep him in your peripheral vision too, so you can see when things like crescendos, decrescendos, ritardandos, and accelerandos are coming.

[lcrommelin]

An orchestra reacts differently on what you're doing than an accompanist. Study the orchestral accompaniment thoroughly and listen carefully during rehearsals. The conductor should follow you, generally speaking, but you both (soloist and orchestra) are responsible for being together. Enjoy the experience! It is thrilling to be accompanied by the sound of a full orchestra.
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[stravinskylover]

Unfortunately, I don't have many rehearsals as far as I know, and they are like the day before the concert (which is in March), so I don't have much time to get used to the interpretation of this conductor, but I'll try my best.

@snoa, thanks for the great advice. I like your story of playing with different conductors. I will practice being able to play most of the Schumann without looking at the keys.

@lcrommelin, that is a great idea! I'll try it.

[timothy42b]

They will follow you, but you don't want to make it too difficult for them, so your changes of tempo should be predictable and consistent, your rubato more restrained than when playing solo.

It can help to practice with a metronome, even though you won't perform that robotically. 

It's a duet, each side must listen and adjust to the other. 

[cometear]

Maybe you could get someone to conduct you and your accompanist? That might help a little bit but make sure they know the score.

[stravinskylover]

Maybe you could get someone to conduct you and your accompanist? That might help a little bit but make sure they know the score.

Unfortunately, I don't know anyone who even knows the basics of conducting, plus every conductor has a different interpretation.

They will follow you, but you don't want to make it too difficult for them, so your changes of tempo should be predictable and consistent, your rubato more restrained than when playing solo.

It can help to practice with a metronome, even though you won't perform that robotically. 

It's a duet, each side must listen and adjust to the other. 

I definitely need to do that. My rubato tends to be all over the place.

[avguste]

Congratulations!!!

Here is some advice:

-between now and February make sure you know the concerto back and forth, including the orchestra part
-practice with metronome
-in February contact the conductor and see about getting together with him a few days before the first rehearsal to work out any kinks
-remember that it is a dialogue between orchestra and soloist, however as the soloist, you need to take charge and lead.
-from what I am reading, it seems you will be playing the Schumann. Be very careful with the 3rd movement. The 3rd movement has a few passages that are tricky.

[stravinskylover]

Congratulations!!!

Here is some advice:

-between now and February make sure you know the concerto back and forth, including the orchestra part
-practice with metronome
-in February contact the conductor and see about getting together with him a few days before the first rehearsal to work out any kinks
-remember that it is a dialogue between orchestra and soloist, however as the soloist, you need to take charge and lead.
-from what I am reading, it seems you will be playing the Schumann. Be very careful with the 3rd movement. The 3rd movement has a few passages that are tricky.

Thank you for the fantastic advice! I will definitely keep those things in mind while I am practicing it.