To the uninitiated, the conductor can seem superfluous – simply waving their arms in the air while the orchestra does the hard work. But the art of conducting is fundamental to a great orchestra’s sound and identity. Jeremy Pound speaks to BBC Symphony Orchestra principal conductor Sakari Oramo about this mysterious vocation.

This episode is sponsored by Bang & Olufsen.

Musical Excerpt

Dora Pejacevic Symphony, Op. 41 – IV. Allegro Appassionato (opening)

BBC Symphony Orchestra/Sakari Oramo

Chandos CHAN 5299

https://www.chandos.net/products/catalogue/CHAN%205299

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