Conductor sees himself as a musical facilitator

Newly appointed Auckland Philharmonia assistant conductor Marc Taddei tells TARA WERNER the days of the orchestra dictator are over.

It is clear that conductor Marc Taddei knows exactly where he is going in life. He strides into the noisy restaurant and, once the preliminaries are over, soon gets down to business, talking about his recent appointment as assistant conductor with the Auckland Philharmonia.

Speaking rapidly in a strong American accent over the hubbub around him, he has many of the mannerisms of New York City. It is obvious that when Taddei wants something, he wants it now, like quickly.

His manner is up-front and refreshingly honest, and he is candid about what he is trying to achieve with the Auckland Philharmonia in the year ahead.

As a trombonist with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra he has viewed the conductor's podium countless times, and knows intimately the pitfalls involved.

"While I've enjoyed playing with the NZSO I've taken a year's leave to take up conducting full time. You really can't do the two things at once - you have to commit to one or the other. Being a conductor is quite different from being a player, although it's very handy knowing what it's like from the musicians' viewpoint.

"As conductor I see myself as a facilitator. Each musician has his or her own opinion about the music, and I see conducting as give and take. I like to think of it as a collegial attitude, and yet getting the best possible sound from the orchestra. After all, the aim is to create beauty and people are passionate about what they do. The age of the dictator is long gone," he says.

This element of collegiality is apparent when he discusses his relationship with musical director Miguel Harth-Bedoya, who helped to select him for the role.

"We get on very well together and I admire his vision for the orchestra.

"We've talked a lot about our different roles and I'm fine with him since we have scoped out the parameters."

Such parameters include rehearsing the orchestra when Harth-Bedoya is away, although Taddei is loath to see himself as the second-stringer.

"I'm there to help develop the orchestra and to keep up the quality of what's being done. I have my own concerts to concentrate on, but if need be I get involved in programmes that aren't my own."

Harth-Bedoya appears happy to share the job of preparing the musicians for a busy concert season.

"Marc being there means continuity for the orchestra. Having at least two conductors makes it easier for the musicians and should show results in the quality of the performances. He reports to me as musical director and helps with the preparation and rehearsals, but he has his own concerts as well."

Taddei's career in New Zealand has seen him in a number of different roles, including Adjunct Professor of Conducting at Victoria University, plus conductor of the Wellington Youth Orchestra and National Youth Orchestra.

The common element is youth education - an element he feels strongly about.

While he moves around the country with alacrity, Taddei's latest position has meant more stability on the home front. His partner is concertmaster Justine Cormack and the couple have bought a house in Auckland.

"Last year was frantic, with Justine being in Auckland and me in Wellington. It meant we only saw each other a few times a week, and it was pretty difficult," he says.

Nonetheless he does not intend giving up his other day job - that of music director of the 20th Century Classics Ensemble in Wellington. Taddei is passionate about the second Viennese School in particular.

"Right from school days on I've loved the music of Webern, Berg and Schoenberg. It's really grabbed me. I would have loved to be in Vienna when they were composing. It would have been fabulous."

His enthusiasm is contagious, and he is very supportive of the Auckland Philharmonia's promotion of New Zealand contemporary music in its repertoire.

He is ready to stick to his guns about this kind of programming: "I will try my hardest for the music I believe in. I give my honest opinion on any subject, and that includes music. Having contemporary music performed is a real strength with the orchestra. Long may such a policy continue," he says.