Richard Strauss - Follow Quotes

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I am convinced that the decisive factor in dramatic effect will be a smaller orchestra, which does not drown out the human voice as does a large orchestra…The orchestra of the opera of the future is the chamber orchestra which, by painting in the background of the action on the stage with crystalline clearness, can alone realize precisely the intention of the composer with regard to the vocal parts. It is after all an important desideratum that the audience should not only hear the sounds but should also be able to follow the words closely.

Richard Strauss
It is not enough that you yourself can hear every word the soloist sings - you know it off by heart anyway: the audience must be able to follow without effort. If they do not understand the words they will go to sleep.

Richard Strauss
It is better to conduct with the ear instead of with the arm: the rest follows automatically.
Ten Golden Rules (for the album of a young conductor). page38. Originally published 1922.

Richard Strauss
If you follow these rules carefully you will, with your fine gifts and great accomplishments, always be the darling of your listeners.

Richard Strauss
When you think you have reached the limits of prestíssimo, go twice as fast. (1948 Today, I should like to amend this as follows: Go twice as slowly - addressed to conductors of Mozart).

Richard Strauss