Tempo Fugit

Tempo Fugit

A very important role of the conductor is setting the tempo, the timing of the piece that the orchestra must adhere to…

 

We are told that the timing is often more important than the notes (luckily).

 

Even if you are stumbling and scrambling to play the notes, you must not slow down, ever, it is not permitted.

 

If you falter, your eyes must leap forward and you must somehow find a way to dive back into the music at full speed.

 

Everyone plays at exactly the same speed and that is what keeps the orchestra together as a cohesive unit.

 

That is what ensures that the notes weave expertly between each other.

 

That is what makes it sound like music rather than a chaotic jumble of sounds – everyone strictly obeying the conductor’s tempo.

 

Sometimes though, something strange and mysterious happens...

 

The tempo slows down, the whole orchestra slows down and the conductor slows down. Then it speeds up to the original tempo again.

 

More often than not, nothing is said about this peculiar phenomenon. Sometimes however, something is said; inevitably by someone who has the unenviable task of counting thirty nine bars of rests until they are called upon to play again.

 

Bored musician: “Erm… I think it slowed down from bar 168 to bar 174.”

 

Maestro: “Yes, you’re absolutely right, it did.”

 

Bored musician: “But there is nothing to say that it should. There is no rallentando marked there.”

 

Maestro: “You’re right, there isn’t a rallentando there.”

 

Bored musician: “But you were conducting more slowly.”

 

Maestro: “Yes, I was, because the whole orchestra slowed down.”

 

Bored musician: “But you should keep the tempo.”

 

Maestro: “Yes, I suppose I should, but there is no point if the whole orchestra slows down.”

 

Bored musician: “Well why does the whole orchestra slow down? They should be following you.”

 

Maestro: “I’ll tell you why. It’s because they are actually listening to each other and responding to what they hear. That’s what makes the difference between a good orchestra and a great orchestra.”

 

Bored musician: “But...”

 

Maestro: “BEGINNING!”

 

“Change begins with understanding and understanding begins by identifying oneself with another person: in a word, empathy. The arts enable us to put ourselves in the minds, eyes, ears and hearts of other human beings.” ~ Richard Eyre~