The Politics of Conducting

How Maestros Influence Culture and Power

From the grand concert halls of Europe to the political battlegrounds of the world stage, The Politics of Conducting explores how conductors have wielded power far beyond the podium. This gripping and insightful book examines the intersection of music, politics, and influence, revealing how legendary maestros—from Wagner’s nationalistic fervor to Bernstein’s Cold War diplomacy—have shaped history.

Through compelling narratives and deep analysis, Richard Fleischman uncovers the ethical dilemmas, cultural leadership, and political entanglements of figures like Toscanini, Furtwängler, and Karajan. From the rise of the conductor as an artistic autocrat to today’s evolving role of digital-age maestros, this book delves into the shifting power dynamics between conductors, musicians, and society.

A must-read for classical music lovers, historians, and those fascinated by the power of art, The Politics of Conducting is an essential addition to the Rediscovering Classical Music series—bringing forgotten histories and untold stories to light.

Perfect for readers of Alex Ross’s The Rest Is Noise and Norman Lebrecht’s The Maestro Myth, this book is an illuminating journey through the past, present, and future of one of classical music’s most powerful figures: the conductor.