On Air Now
Classic FM Drive with Sam Pittis 5pm - 7pm
The greatest conductor hair in classical music
Here's a selection of the very finest in conductor hair, from Dudamel's fireball coiffage to the classic Simon Rattle cloud. The laws of aerodynamics do not apply here.
-
1. Leif Segerstam
As chief conductor of the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra, one of Leif Segerstam's most important duties is to maintain exactly the same length of hair around all the edges of his face. As you can see, he's performing it superbly.
-
2. Gustavo Dudamel
Of the modern conducting pack, Venezuelan conductor Gustavo Dudamel is one of the few to take his hair seriously. His inspiration? Fire. And Sideshow Bob.
-
3. Sergiu Celibidache
During his long and varied career, Celibidache tackled a huge amount of musical challenges. The biggest reward for this, though, was to see his hair settle into this classic slicked-back setting. It's like combed lightning.
-
4. Stéphane Denève
Denève is a precise figure on the podium as chief conductor of the Stuttgart Radio Symphony Orchestra, but his hair is left to roam free across his head like a wild clutch of spirali pasta.
-
5. Grzegorz Nowak
Somehow, Grzegorz's locks have become ungovernable by conventional means, and they're running riot. The result is, you'll agree, extremely exciting. Picture: grzegorznowak.com
-
6. Leopold Stokowski
An unbidden waterfall of snowy tresses, Leopold Stokowski's hair was reassuringly thick and bountiful all through his career, proving that conducting is a profession that encourages follicular longevity.
-
7. Simon Rattle
Perhaps the only conductor recognisable by the outline of his hair only. (This picture is definitely him, by the way.)
-
8. Daniel Barenboim
Nowadays, Barenboim has an elegant, sensibly organised haircut. In his heyday, though, he was the proud owner of this smashing example of poise. You could balance a breezeblock on that thing. Photo: Getty
-
9. Seiji Ozawa
No-one has yet bettered Ozawa's ability to combine two looks with one hairstyle - he's half David Dickinson, half cumulonimbus.
-
10. Krzysztof Urbański
The chief conductor of Trondheim Symphony Orchestra's hair is feathery, poised and perfect. We can't tell from the photo if his conducting is the same.
