Thursday, October 6, 2011

OvergrownPath.com: 'Reaching new audiences made simple' by Maestro Dean Dixon

[Maestro Dean Dixon]

Bob Shingleton of On An Overgrown Path sends this post on a reader's fond childhood memories of Dean Dixon as a conductor:

OvergrownPath.com
Thursday, October 06, 2011
“Reaching new audiences made simple
Dean Dixon was the real introducer in my life to great music when he conducted the Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra in the 50s. I was a young boy then and got a free ticket for 'the School concerts' in our famous Concert Hall. He made a great pedagogic show and introduced us to Benjamin Britten's The Young Persons Guide to the Orchestra. But also - I remember - did a funny show to de-dramatize the role of the conductor. 'Now I will show you the importance of the conductor', he said, starting up the Ruslan and Ludmilla overture. After a few bars he left his place, walked down and passed all the way to the back of the hall. Then he slowly re-entered, in time to close the score. 'Now you have seen the importance of the conductor', he said. As you see - still a vivd memory. Thanks Dean.”

“Photo of Dean Dixon is by Wolfgang Sievers from the National Library of Australia.”

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