thu 05/12/2024

Maestri: Conductors at the 2014 Proms | reviews, news & interviews

Maestri: Conductors at the 2014 Proms

Maestri: Conductors at the 2014 Proms

Chris Christodoulou's sensational shots of baton-wielders in action

Andrew Litton keeping an eye on the BBC Symphony Orchestra in Prom 72All images © Chris Christodoulou

Chris Christodoulou is the official Proms photographer, writes David Nice. From his uniquely privileged position behind a velvet curtain, he captures the white heat of performance. The official shots roll off the press a couple of hours after the concert, but for the past five years our man in the Albert Hall has supplied theartsdesk with unofficial contraband images of conductors in action.

No doubt the presence of only two women in the roster will provoke comment. Blame the Proms for not doing more: the change is happening, but not fast enough. Some of these conductor portraits will make you laugh out loud. But more often, the passion and ferocity are serious proof that some of the best conducting is not about acting but about channelling emotion. In these instances, the second of Richard Strauss’s "Ten Golden Rules" for conducting, that only the audience should perspire, clearly doesn’t apply.

Click on the thumbnails to enlarge

Comments

All TOTALLY characteristic! Bravo Chris, one of the great chroniclers

Superb photos Chris. You're such an artist and these shots capture each conductor quite brilliantly.

These photographs are always such a treat. Bravo to Chris Christodoulou, and thanks to The Arts Desk for starting and maintaining this great tradition.

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