Menuhin conducting with feet?
Okay, I heard an NPR program a couple weeks ago on yoga, and they mentioned Menuhin's use of it, which I knew about. But they also said he once conducted an orchestra with his feet while standing on his head. Is this really true? And if so, how did he do that?
Replies (18)
hahahahahahaha I laughed out loud when I read this.
I think it was a jamboree. Menuhin with his feet for Beethoven's Sym 5. Ozawa conducting Mutter in Sarasate's Gypsy Airs (Mutter dressed as a gypsy), etc, etc.
I apologize in advance for the following, but the opportunity is simply irresistable:
If you'll pardon the off-the-cuff remark (with tongue in cheek), and now that I've got my foot in the door, I suppose that conducting with one's feet is most appropriate for sole music, but then to stay instep you have to act like a real heel to stay on the ball and keep the orchestra on their toes. But I suppose this is good way to conduct if you need a conductor for the Fallen Archduke Trio or the Kneelson Concerto (especially if played by Heifoots, Shoemsky, Menushin, Pinky, or Itsock). I don't mean to be callous, just make sure you avoid any bootleg recordings. Ooops, I forgot the Hammertoeclavier Sonata and the Corngold Concerto and the School for Sandals Overture and the William Tell Overshoe and the Adagio for Shoestrings and Eine Kleine Nikemusic. And you must make sure to play it with a new triple-E string. Ballet music, anyone?
I do remember hearing about that Menuhin "performance." My question is...Which way was he facing? (And it's a good thing he wasn't wearing a dress.)
He he he he, good one, I was giggling a full five minutes! Hey, does anybody know if are there any pictures of this performance? What a laugh!
P.S. You forgot to mention that Anne Sophie Footer, Gil Shoeham, David Toestrahk, and George Eneshoe all blistered up the stage at Cornegie Hall, especially with their performances of Shoenberg, Bootok, and Shoevisky. : )
Oh, my. I must be slippering. And what about that wonderful conductor, Thomas Slippers?
I forgot to mention that audiences also get a kick out of Sockhousen and Paganiknee. However, I have have heard that Menushin's left foot pizzicatoe has gotten rather lame reviews. . . (Sorry, just couldn't resist)
I see we are running far afield from the original topic. My wife (who was wearing a Kreisler shift at the time) told me once that I shouldn't be foot dragging on a topic like this. At that concert, Menuhin conducted the orchestra better than he conducted himself, although he must have gotten a kick out of seeing everything upside down. Thank God he decided to conduct only with his feet. However, his performance of the Tales of Hoofman was tastefully done without stepping over the line (especially the recarpetulation section). The audience was really floored; he really caught them flatfooted off guard, especially by the singing of Buster Brownhilde (with that wonderful solo over the pedal point). He had previously sung with Feetwangler.
(I think that after going down this road, I'm getting tapped out. They're going to have to auction off this thread at Hubay.)
One of my violin teachers told me once that conductors are much more impressive from the audience (i.e., from the back) than if you are in front of them and have to follow their beat. It seems that the Menuhin foot-performance made him impressive from both sides of the podium.
Okay, somebody please hit the gong. Over and over again. There is treachery ...afoot...GODDAMMIT, couldn't resist.
(Hey, Ruth: I think this thread is contagious.)
Sander, maybe a tad of foot and mouth disease going around!
Larry, I think you nailed it. You've got a leg up on the rest of us. This whole discussion is creating more than a foot-candle of power.
I haven't heard the pitter-patter of little feet following up on this thread. Are we into the same old stomping grounds, or are we marching to the beat of a different drummer, or are we tip-toeing around the truth? And who will sock it to this topic and give it the final boot? And what about Yehudi Menuhin and his upside-down conducting? Have we relegated him to Boot Hill?
Who knows?
I've played under Menuhin and I never saw him do it, but...hey...he was into some neat feats for his day...
All kidding aside. That must have been great.
Gosh Sander, didn't think this topic would get you going like this. You must be a real expert in pedi-gogy. : )
Ruth: Good Lord! I think I'm punned out. You may very well have had the last word (unless I wake up in the middle of the night and another one occurs to me).
Cordially, Sandy
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November 23, 2005 at 05:48 AM · It is true - at the Berlin PO in a yoga position at one of their New Year eve concerts when Karajan was still alive!