The Multidimensional Orchestral Conductor: A Jungian Archetypal Appraisal

Orchestral conductor and/or conducting is thought to have a collective core, depending on its etymological status and its appearance in the music communities of Ancient (Egyptian and Greek) civilizations and Continental Europe. It is seen that its structural and functional features, which develop with changing cultures, enrich its essence remarkably. In this regard, it is a rational inference to claim that the conductor has turned into an archetype as a functional symbol, assuming that it represents a common content over time. It involves an effort to make sense of the essence of the orchestral conductor, who is not only a music-making but also a leader, within the framework of Jungian archetype theory. The interdisciplinary evaluation presented offers a unique contribution to discovering the individuation process and potential of the orchestral conductor.