How exactly do you communicate your ideas about a work to the orchestra? I never enjoy hearing people talk too much about music, other than in the most general of terms. I find it a largely pointless exercise that detracts from the players’ capacity to use their own imaginations. If I can convey a telling visual image or emotional idea as succinctly as possible I think that is the way to do it. And then of course, there’s what you do with your hands. A great deal of it is intuitive but I shall be forever grateful to my teacher Ilya Musin for opening my eyes to the fundamental importance of meaningful gesture. (via)]]>