[Editorial] If You Are Not Voting Tomorrow or Still Undecided

Conductor's Leadership Resembles That of a President
If You Haven't Chosen a Candidate Yet
Cast Your Vote for the One Who Listens

Italian conductor Arturo Toscanini (1867?1957) strictly forbade any deviation from the score or any showy display of skill. He believed that the most important virtue of a conductor was to perfectly reproduce the notes and markings written in the score. His temperament was fiery, and orchestra members referred to Toscanini as the "erupting volcano of Vesuvius." His presence inspired fear among the musicians. He would shout, throw his baton, and storm out of the concert hall if he was dissatisfied with a rehearsal. Musicians who worked with him in his later years said, "He is truly frightening. He is a tyrant. But he is a giant whom we cannot help but respect." Possessing a genius for memorization, Toscanini conducted more than 300 pieces entirely from memory. There are even anecdotes that he memorized scores that the composers themselves could not remember, leaving the composers in awe.

Leonard Bernstein (1918?1990) is the conductor most beloved by Americans. Emphasizing that "a great conductor is one who allows the musicians to enjoy playing," he enjoyed conversation and listened more to others than to himself. Although he held absolute authority, he never ruled over his orchestra. He considered the conductor and musicians to be equals, and he raised the self-esteem of his players. Under his leadership, the orchestra quickly grew in ability, resurrecting the challenging music of Gustav Mahler, composing musicals and film scores, and making significant contributions to the popularization of classical music through youth concerts.

The reason for sharing these well-known anecdotes among classical music enthusiasts is that the leadership of a conductor and that of a president are very similar. A great conductor must listen to every instrument in the orchestra. Listening is the prerequisite for communication. On this foundation, the conductor must present a clear vision for the music. Cellist and conductor Jang Hanna says, "You must listen not only to the sound of the instruments but also to the hearts of the musicians." From the first violin, closest to the baton, to the percussion in the back row, the conductor must hear, analyze, and adjust everything. The most important virtue of a conductor is not to teach or emphasize, but to listen. And it is the role of the person standing at the highest point in the concert hall to know how the sound should change and to bring about that change. The podium is not made for the conductor to be looked up to, but so that the conductor can see and hear the musicians well.

Tomorrow is the day when the 21st president, who will lead South Korea for the next five years, will be elected. There are unlikely to be many voters who change their minds tonight. However, if you are thinking of not voting because you do not like any of the candidates, you should reconsider. Some people speak of a "right not to vote," but this forgets how many sacrifices were required before the direct election of the president became a right. While it is understandable to choose not to vote, it is difficult to accept calling that a right. The "right to vote" was restored only 38 years ago.

It is probably not just me who feels that this presidential election is even worse than the 20th presidential election, which was called "the worst negative election" in history. If you are thinking of not going to the polls tomorrow, or have not yet decided, I urge you to reflect again on why we are holding this election, which will begin its official term without even a transition committee, and to cast your vote for the candidate who listens more closely to the voice of the people, rather than those who have indulged in politics of hatred and antagonism. For a maestro who can harmonize the extreme dissonance that has swept over South Korea.