17 Oct 2008
The master artist team structure
It is a mistake to think that the practice of my art has become easy to me. I assure you, dear friend, no one has given so much care to the study of composition as I. There is scarcely a famous master in music whose works I have not frequently and diligently studied. ~ W.A. Mozart
Interesting form of organization: the soloist directs the team itself. Originally the soloist has been the composer itself (for example Mozart who wrote, directed and played the concertos himself, like Shakespeare who wrote, directed and played his plays), later soloists focused on playing alone. Here is a video that shows Mitsuko Uchida conducting and playing Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 20 KV 466, the 1st movement (the first part on YouTube is here the second part here). I have watched her live in Berlin, she is really excellent when she plays Mozart. One exceptional master artist exercises leadership through superior knowledge (similar to some master software developers or chief programmers in small teams).