The contralto and conductor Nathalie Stutzmann is among 431 names on the New Year’s list of recipients of the Légion d’Honneur.
Others include the writer Michel Houellebec and the World Cup winning French football team.
Allez les bleus.
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She’s in “good” company…
1) “…and the World Cup winning French football team”
So nice of the French to honor Africa.
2) Houellebecq, with his new book out, is well deserved, whether one likes his work or not, he is a literary force to be reckoned with, not only in France but in the world.
Yes, Africa, where Deschamps, Griezmann, Pavard, Giroud, Hernandez, Varane, and Thauvin undoubtedly come from. At least their common ancestor Australopithecus afarensis is from there, I agree!
Another soloists who buys a baton and decides he/she is a conductor.
Why study conducting for years? Those who go to universities, conservatoires, and Musikhochschules are idiots! If you want to conduct just buy a baton, wave a baton in front of some musicians – doesn’t matter if you don’t know what you are doing -, and voilá! another conductor is born… don’t worry, some critic will say you are fresh, new, innovative, and people who like you as a soloist will buy your tickets!
I have heard online more a dozen concerts she has conducted and she seems to me to have genuine ability. There is no shortage of good conductors that have turned to it mid-career. Yes, ideally it should be a long apprenticeship, but I am not going to say that someone should have to take that route to be hired. Latecomers can lack technical skill, but sheer musicality can often win through.
It’s wonderful that you have such intimate knowledge of how she prepared for a career as a conductor.
I think you are jumping to irresponsible conclusions here. I have been impressed with her recordings and live work as a conductor – a terrific MESSIAH for the Philadelphia Orchestra, for example. She studied conducting with Ozawa and Rattle and leads a wide repertory.
She conducted two great performances of Boito’s Mefistofele last summer at Chorégies d’Orange. The first one looked like the Flying Dutchman
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ydhLIC46GZY
I live in Dublin The Orchestra year is being badly managed by the state. No principal conductor for the last several years. Ms. Stutzman is principal guest conductor and is widely admired here for her work in difficult conditions. Her concerts sell out, no matter the repertoire. Re the only ones that do. Well done Mme Stutzman. Looking forward to Friday week’s concert.