[mbriant]

The current Honda robot thread inspired this question, as it's one I've always wondered about. I know they're important because every orchestra has one and they always seem to take top billing, but exactly what is it that they contribute? Timing? The "waving the stick around" part we laymen always see, obviously isn't all of it, but is it the most important contribution they make? To the untrained eye, it doesn't appear that the musicians are even paying all that much attention most of the time....it must be difficult to read music, play your instrument, and watch the conductor at the same time. Does this "conducting" give the music "soul"? Or is the conductor's biggest role to act as a sort of coach/general manager/director, who keeps order and creates the playbook during rehearsals?

Please enlighten me. I'm particularly interested in hearing what classical musicians have to say.