Point of the Stick, The

As no less a luminary than Sir Adrian Boult admitted, “There is an enormous amount of bluff in conducting.” Not to mention egomania, machismo, manic depression, self-destructive tendencies, avarice, licentiousness, fakery, tyranny, rivalry and naked self-interest. As well as courage, integrity, charm, candour, sartorial élan and technical brilliance. The Point of the Stick leads us allegro con brio through a century of recorded music and the maestri who dominated the podium. Neil Fulwood is the author of three previous collections with Shoestring Press. He lives and works in Nottingham.