Orchestral Maneuvers

Greg Sandow makes an important point about the Berlin Philharmonic (and by extension most non-American orchestras): they move when they play: "You can see the violinists putting their entire bodies into many bow strokes. You see them bend forward, then swing their bodies back. The basses were especially dramatic."

That kind of passionate intensity is striking when encountering the Berliners. And something of a trademark. There's a story that during the Karajan years the orchestra was trying to decide on new chairs, and the decision hinged on the comfort of the backs of the chairs. To which one longtime member of the ensemble said, "Since when has a Berlin Philharmonic player needed the back of his chair?"

But what's shocking is the contrast to American orchestras, so often slouched back on their seats, looking bored to the point of somnolence. Sandow thinks this comes from how they're taught: "Classical musicians are taught not to move. I've heard that from my Juilliard students. Their teachers tell them not to move when they play. It's undignified, they're told, it's not artistic."

Sandow believes the Berlin sounds better because it moves. That may be. I don't know. I do know, however, that their energy and passion come through, and American orchestras might want to consider the example.