Word: monteux
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Seldom has there been such a musical love match as San Francisco and Pierre Monteux have both been enjoying. In 17 years as conductor of the San Francisco Symphony, Monteux's teddy-bear figure and walrus mustache have become as well known and beloved by San Franciscans as their ferry boats and cable cars. Last week, as the idyl came to an end, San Francisco took a dab at its eyes...
...like a real concert. Pierre Monteux walked slowly to the podium, acknowledged the applause, and began conducting the Boston Symphony Orchestra in a program of Wagner and Debussy. Only the informality of the orchestra members, the smallness of the crowd, and the infrequent interruptions by Monteux showed that this was just a rehearsal...
...easily understand why Monteux has achieved such a high position among the world's conductors. The elephantine Frenchman handled the orchestra as if he owned it. He led it safely through the rhythmic complexities of Debussy, and went on to revitalize a bunch of Wagnerian warhorses that have been all but killed by dozens of inept performances. The response to Monteux's steady, relaxed beat was nearly perfect, and the obvious rapport between conductor and orchestra resulted in quick run--throughs of most of the music...
...rehearsal is even more enjoyable than a concert. The informality contrasts favorably with the machine-like view one usually gets of an orchestra. Watching them chatting among themselves and pencil-marking their scores, one can appreciate them as human beings. Unfortunately, the audience could not hear most of Monteux's remarks. Perhaps next time a microphone will be placed somewhere near the podium...
...Monteux told the CRIMSON yesterday, "I am very sorry to have to give up the lectures, but my agent has already made these foreign commitments. I hope to come to Harvard sometime to give some talks, but then of course...