Musical Directors conducting from the Piano
Musical Directors conducting from the Piano
Musicaldudepeter
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/18/10
#1Musical Directors conducting from the Piano
Posted: 11/15/11 at 6:38pm
In either professional or regional musical theatre productions, some MDs sit in front of the piano when conducting... Sometimes (especially in regional productions of shows), the MD won't even play the keyboard in front of him/her, they will simply conduct while sitting there...they might only play it once or twice... What function does the piano/keyboard provide in this case? I know in some shows it's obligatory for the MD to play keys while out in front e.g. Mamma Mia, etc. but this regional production I saw was Guys & Dolls.... I also saw a conductor do it for regent's park's Into the Woods last year in London... Any thoughts? I'd be happy to hear them :)
Updated On: 11/15/11 at 06:38 PM
AwesomeDanny
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/30/09
#2Musical Directors conducting from the Piano
Posted: 11/15/11 at 7:02pm
Regional theatre is still professional.
But to answer your question, the conuctor plays the piano if it's in front of him/her. You'll probably be paying attention to the show at this point. Even if it's just once or twice, the conductor still plays it, and it is therefore necessary. I don't think a conductor would sit behind a piano for no reason.
Musicaldudepeter
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/18/10
#2Musical Directors conducting from the Piano
Posted: 11/15/11 at 7:08pm
woops! i meant Community theater not regional - apologies. and thanks for your reply! 
SondheimFan5
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/20/10
#3Musical Directors conducting from the Piano
Posted: 11/15/11 at 7:13pm
Typically for a show with a decent-sized orchestra, the conductor would play the least prominent piano/keyboard part (ie - in the "Young Frankenstein" Broadway pit, the conductor also played Keyboard 3). Key 3 is used fairly infrequently throughout the show, so for the most part the conductor was conducting and not playing.
It can also be for "filler" - I saw an equity production of Camelot about 15 yrs ago with a 30 piece orchestra but the conductor played a synth with harp for only 1 number because it was the only number that "required" a harp (solo) so they did not feel the need to hire a real harp player.
In community/educational/regional theatre it is often because they want to get the most out of their budget so they conduct and play -- they may only have enough of a budget for 5 or 6 players in addition to themself.
Also in opera, sometimes the conductor will play the harpsichord recitative ---- but that is opera, not theatre !!
Updated On: 11/15/11 at 07:13 PM
Musicaldudepeter
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/18/10
#4Musical Directors conducting from the Piano
Posted: 11/15/11 at 7:16pmthis is a great insight - thanks :)
#5Musical Directors conducting from the Piano
Posted: 11/16/11 at 11:48amI haven't seen the new RENT but in the original run/tours, the conductor played the keyboard. Boko Suzuki was especially fun to watch when he was conductor. If I remember correctly he rarely, if ever, looked at the score while he was playing.
"Who says you can't bend over backwards and eat bugs if you want to? I guess the bugs would probably say you can't do that that, but assuming that they are willing and consenting bugs, then there's no problem. Let's wig out eating bugs."
-RuPaul
#6Musical Directors conducting from the Piano
Posted: 11/16/11 at 12:25pm
I'm currently music directing/conducting/playing keys for "Iron Curtain", and I just wanted to second what was already said; if there's a keyboard in front of the conductor, he/she will play it at some point. Otherwise they'll just have a podium and will most likely be holding a baton.
In this particular case, I actually play quite a bit of keyboard and do most of the conducting with my head, although there are places my hands are free to do it. With an 8-piece band, I wish there was a little less playing for me, but we really want to fill out the sound. It requires quite a bit of choreography to bounce back and forth between conducting with your hands and conducting with your head, sometimes from bar to bar.
Let me know if you have any other questions about the business from the MD's point of view!
Musicaldudepeter
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/18/10
Starcarolina
Understudy Joined: 8/16/11
#8Musical Directors conducting from the Piano
Posted: 11/16/11 at 1:41pmIn a couple community theatre productions some time ago (one I directed), dual pianos were used which freed the musical director when necessary. Since there were only 3 or 4 other instruments, it certainly helped fill out the sound for things like the overture and other incidental music and allowed the other pianist to play a second instrument when needed.
Understudy Joined: 12/31/69
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