Intrada Soundtrack Forum

I know this seems like a trivial observation, but I always notice that whenever Maestro Howard Shore is shown (in documentaries and such) conducting the score for THE RETURN OF THE KING, during the recording sessions, his baton is strangely absent. I always thought that the purpose of a baton during orchestra-conducting was to direct the musicians with precision. And since a bigger orchestra (and the LORD OF THE RINGS orchestra was gargantuan!!) leads to the appropriation of a conductor, you'd think Mr. Shore would want his stick to keep the band together.

Conducting, to me, has always seemed in turn a fascinating and mysterious craft. I'm not the most informed person musically, and I was wondering if anyone out there knows why Shore is conducting without the baton for RETURN OF THE KING?

He stopped using a baton shortly after recording The Two Towers. I believe he found that it was restricting his expressivity.

_________________

There are indeed a number of conductors conducting without a baton.