Performance Style of a Contemporary Choral Conductor in the Context of the Current Artistic Space: from Rehearsal to Media Presentation

Abstract

The article examines the performing style of contemporary choral conductors, including their typology and evolution in the modern artistic space. It explores the theoretical foundation and definitions of conducting styles and discusses the two main types: emotional and rationalistic. Additionally, it presents the perspectives of past conductors on the conducting process that remain relevant today. The skills of a conductor are evaluated by categorizing them into hard and soft skills. Hard skills include mastery of gesture, facial expression, general music theory preparation, and skills in analysing musical scores. Soft skills consider emotionality, charisma, and organizational abilities. The text traces the connection between the conductor's conducting style and their soft and hard skills. This study examines the impact of digital technologies on the role of choral conductors and the formation of conducting styles. It investigates the peculiarities of the rehearsal and concert process in remote music-making conditions, which are characterized by the asynchrony of the creative process. The study reveals the influence of asynchrony on the character and style of the conductor's work. It has been demonstrated that asynchronous performing processes can reduce feedback between the conductor and performers, resulting in aberrations in conducting style and a shift from managerial to decorative specificity.