CONDUCTORS are a breed unto themselves. They have been called tyrants, dictators and performing penguins.
Andre Previn likened them to ''traffic cops making sure everyone is playing at the same speed and the same volume''. They have been adored, hated and feared, and inspired dread in ''humble'' musicians.
But a conductor carries an orchestra's reputation.
For Mariss Jansons, music director of the Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra, the secret to a good orchestra is hard work, dedication and commitment.
''You dedicate your life, your time and energy to music. It is important musicians give everything.'' Born in Riga in Latvia, Jansons studied the violin at an early age. His father was second conductor with the Leningrad Philharmonic Orchestra, his mother an opera singer.
He spent most of his time in the opera house and seemed to instinctively know he would be a conductor.
It was the Oslo Philharmonic which came looking for him.
