Conductors in Rehearsal (1971-1983)

Photos by Gordon Hallberg

Leonard Bernstein As Bass Trombonist of the Boston Symphony Orchestra (BSO) from 1971-1983 I sat in a chair only a few feet from the many conductors of the Boston Symphony. Over my years with the Boston Symphony I had the pleasure of playing with and photographing some of the finest conductors in the world. 

Of course, I was not free to photograph in concerts only rehearsals. But, in so many ways, conductors are more interesting in rehearsals than in concerts—their movements are more communicative and often very dramatic.

Rehearsal lighting was not as bright as in concerts, which made it necessary to “push” the film explaining the visible grain in the photos.

Photos have previously been exhibited at Symphony Hall, Boston and other locations in Massachusetts.