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    The greatest conductor hair in classical music

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    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. best conductor hair

      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 conductor

      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. best conductor hair

      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. best conductor hair

      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

      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. best conductor hair

      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 iconic photos

      7. Simon Rattle

      Perhaps the only conductor recognisable by the outline of his hair only. (This picture is definitely him, by the way.)

    8. Jacqueline du Pré iconic pictures

      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. best conductor hair

      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. best conductor hair

      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.

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