---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The first problem I had with conducting…"
description: "\"“The first problem I had with conducting was coming out on stage and turning my back on the audience. It was an utterly foreign sensation. I always fel..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/02f/leon-fleisher-105356_conducting_the-first-problem-i-had-with-conducting_2342146.jpg"
---

#  The first problem I had with conducting was coming out on…

![“The first problem I had with conducting was coming out on stage and turning my back on the audience. It was an utterly foreign sensation. I always felt as if my rear end were hanging out. That particular portion of my anatomy suddenly seemed enormous, living a life of its own, engaged in its own…” quote by Leon Fleisher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/02f/leon-fleisher-105356_conducting_the-first-problem-i-had-with-conducting_2342146.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/02f/leon-fleisher-105356_conducting_the-first-problem-i-had-with-conducting_2342146.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/02f/leon-fleisher-105356_conducting_the-first-problem-i-had-with-conducting_2342146.jpg)

> ““The first problem I had with conducting was coming out on stage and turning my back on the audience. It was an utterly foreign sensation. I always felt as if my rear end were hanging out. That particular portion of my anatomy suddenly seemed enormous, living a life of its own, engaged in its own relationship with the public behind my back. For the first couple of years I conducted, I sat on a chair in front of the orchestra, to help quell that particular discomfort.””

[Leon Fleisher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leon-fleisher/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Conducting onstage felt alien; his body’s discomfort highlighted vulnerability and the need to adapt.

**In simple terms:** Stage discomfort revealed vulnerability and adaptation.

Key Takeaway

Adapt to bodily discomfort.

Themes

performance anxiety vulnerability adaptation body awareness music

Mood

vulnerable determined introspective

Type

Conducting:1 Living a life:0 Rear-end:0 Conducting Coming:0 Problem Conducting:0 Chair Orchestra:0 Orchestra Help:0

When to use this quote

- concerts
- rehearsals
- public speaking

Key Concepts

stage presence physical discomfort psychological coping musical leadership

Questions to Reflect On

- How do you manage physical discomfort?
- What can reduce stage anxiety?

A Different Perspective

May not apply to non‑performers.

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[Chair Orchestra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/chair-orchestra-5671515/) [Conducting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conducting/) [Conducting Coming](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conducting-coming-5671513/) [Living a life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/living-a-life/) [Orchestra Help](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/orchestra-help-5671516/) [Problem Conducting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/problem-conducting-5671514/) [Rear-end](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rear-end-155292/)

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