Book Description

In Conversations with Joseph Flummerfelt: Thoughts on Conducting, Music, and Musicians, Donald Nally presents a window into the mind and heart of one of America's most celebrated and distinguished choral conductors. This captivating narrative traces Flummerfelt's formative years and influences, his most important artistic collaborations, and his approach to conducting and music. There is also a philosophical discussion of cultural influences and obstacles in art, how one teaches conducting, and the foundations of ensemble music-making. This book explores the conductor's early career influences from musicians such as Robert Shaw and Nadia Boulanger and reveals his thoughts on composers Igor Stravinsky, Samuel Barber, Benjamin Britten, and Olivier Messiaen, among others. Topics range from his approaches to style, conducting gesture, sound generation, and choral sound to the psychology of music-making and the contemporary environment of art-making. Nally's interview style captures the energy and rhythm of Flummerfelt's speech so the conductor's voice and passion is readily evident. Through these intimate conversations, Flummerfelt reveals his life, art, and ideas-from close collaborations with some of the world's greatest orchestral conductors to his work as artistic director of Westminster Choir College. More than thirty photos present a visual record of Flummerfelt's collaborations with many of the great musicians of our time; a biographical timeline, list of collaborating orchestras and conductors, and discography are also included. Book jacket.