There's a fascinating article by Matthew Aucoin in the September, 2026, issue of The Atlantic - The Mysterious Art of Conducting - that looks at the history and role of the orchestra conductor, the dignified figure who seems to do nothing but stand in front of the orchestra and wave his or her arms while the musicians make music. The article clearly explains why, as orchestras became larger and their instruments more varied, it became necessary for a single figure to make sure all the parts worked together to produce the music the composer intended. Mr Aucoin describes the job this way:
This is the conductor’s essential task: to embody, guide, and react to the current of the music. A responsible conductor understands that they must both lead and serve as listener in chief. They should have a clear plan for how a performance will be shaped, but they must also be prepared to respond to their colleagues’ music-making as it happens. If a particular player or section is doing something magical, the conductor should know how to absorb that energy and reflect it back to the ensemble.
It occurs to me that what the nation needs right now is not a president, but a conductor*.
Instead of a politically, religiously, morally, and socially bankrupt buffoon deaf to the needs of the people he leads, we need a conductor who can coordinate the various instruments at his or her disposal to make beautiful music for the enjoyment and betterment of everyone. We need the political equivalent of a Gustavo Dudamel ...
or a Sarah Hicks ...
... especially a Sarah Hicks, who not only has better hair than Dudamel, but directs not only an orchestra, but a male and a female chorus, sound effects, a solo soprano, and a wah-wah.
It's time for our government to make beautiful music instead of raucous cacophany. Fire Der Furor. Hire a competent conductor. Start with the November midterms.
Have a good day. More thoughts tomorrow, when Thursday Trees makes its weekly appearance.
Bilbo
* Not a conducǎtor, which was the Romanian version of the word, applied to the late dictator Nikolai Ceauşescu.
