The ' Faceless' Conductor and the 'Oldie' Singer

On a  lazy day, I like to stay for a while in my pajamas, near a bowl of popcorn and/or a bowl of fruit salad, and enjoy some musical performances available  on Youtube. Here's a selection:

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One of my favorites is Rondo Siciliano. This orchestra has all the right 'ingredients': a beautiful soprano singer, a charismatic violin player, a good choir, but... a somehow, faceless conductor.That is, we're seldom shown his face.  Sometimes, like in the video below, we get a glimpse at his profile. He's mainly'n the dark, his back at the audience, tall and stiff, with only his hands moving. That's the basic, effortless technique in conducting, we're told.

The Storm violin (Vivaldi)

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Unlike the above conductor, the 'chief' of another favorite orchestra (a much smaller one,  a band , called  Pink Martini),is omnipresent. He usually opens the show, closes it,  jumps on his chair, moves every part of his body, especially the hands (he's the pianist) .

Quite an attraction, I would say, although not as much an attraction as the lead singer, Storm Large. Oh, my, she's good, very good, and...sexy (see the  tattoo on her nude back).

'Amado Mio' ('My beloved') with singer Storm Large

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The croatian cello player, Hauser,is too theatrical for my taste,regardless of whether he performs solo or in a duet. And yet, I keep watching him again and again (especially in Adagio). I suppose it's the combination of his acclaimed virtuosity and his obvious  beauty that attracts me to his videos. The conductor, a woman for a change (short cut hair, masculine black outfit...), 'watches' carefully over him. Shall we call her Maestro or Maestra?

Adagio (Albinoni)

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And last but not least, the famous  american 'oldie but goodie' Cher. What a performer!! She completely dominates the scene with her voice and presence. She  glides around with such easiness and elegance! ( no need for all the fuss around her, made by male and female  flamenco dancers;  they are all, however,very exciting, especially the one with the scandinavian looks, opening and leading the show!).

Dov'e  L'amore (Where's love) with Cher

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