What’s a conductor’s instrument? The orchestra, or rather, the mind, the score? A stick?
It is not only since Disney’s Fantasia that conductors get compared to magicians, and conducting sticks to magic wands. Ever wondered where conductors get their batons from? One would like to imagine there’s a shop like Mr. Olivander’s Shop for Fine Wands from Harry Potter, only for batons. Give them a flick, or do some imaginary conducting of their favourite piece?
Jonathan Darlington has been supporting “Kleine Herzen” for more than a year now. The non-profit organization supports children living in economically disadvantaged countries.
“I am very excited about having the opportunity to give my wholehearted support to the kleine herzen organization. I can think of nothing more worthwhile than to be able to help and give to those who haven’t had the same good fortune in life as I have; especially children. What the foundation has achieved with very limited means and within such a short space of time is nothing short of miraculous. I can only admire the effort and dedication of all those involved and lend as much help and support as possible while encouraging others to do the same.”
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Jonathan Darlington | Website (engl.) from Christoph Müller-Girod on Vimeo.
posted by JD, Jan 11 2010
Jonathan Darlington is music director of Vancouver Opera and was music director of the Duisburger Philharmonic Orchestra from 2002 until 2011. His passionate yet refined approach to music making has done much to increase the popularity and artistic quality of both orchestras.
Read the full biography more …
Why become a conductor? In my case. I never set out to do this and, like some of the best things in life, it was an accident. Taking over performances successfully at short notice launched my career. That was the easy part! The difficult part came afterwards: learning how to work with different groups of individuals is a lifetime’s journey. I’m still on the curve! I can still vividly remember the daunting feeling the first time I rehearsed with a famous orchestra as more or less a complete novice. I guess I followed Sir George Solti’s maxim that if you have the fire in the belly, “never give up”.