Iconic. Legendary. Esteemed.
Inspiring. Acclaimed. Demanding.
Honest. Life-changing. Beloved.
These words describe Otto-Werner Mueller, the German-American conductor who helped shape orchestral training programs at distinguished musical institutions in the United States and Canada.
“More than a gifted maestro with a distinguished conducting career, he is widely regarded as the most important conducting pedagogue of the last 50 years.”
- The Curtis Institute of Music
Otto-Werner Mueller headed the orchestral studies and conducting departments at The Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia, The Juilliard School in New York, the Yale University School of Music in New Haven, and the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Enjoy this video tribute to Mueller and check out other information throughout the website on his life, conducting, and teaching.
The significance of “forte only”
Anyone who studied, rehearsed, or performed with Maestro Mueller undoubtedly heard or saw “forte only,” the phrase for which he is best known and remembered. The use of dynamics was one of the most important musical elements to Mueller, and he insisted that the musicians observe them correctly. He wanted the musicians to think and listen before playing, to think about what the dynamics meant, and to think about how those dynamics should sound.
Mueller felt that forte was one of the most abused dynamics and was often played too strongly. He frequently said, “forte only!” in rehearsals – with an emphasis on “only” – and he wrote it in the music to remind the musicians to play that dynamic within the context of what other sections and players were playing and to hold something in reserve for the stronger dynamics still yet to come.
Forte only is a phrase that will forever be linked to Otto-Werner Mueller. It’s a principle which is ingrained in his former students who understand and remember his meaning behind it as they apply it daily to their performance and teaching.