The conductor's gift does not always go hand in hand with that of composition; indeed, the union is found much more seldom than is popularly believed. ↗
I mean, the great secret is that an orchestra can actually play without a conductor at all. Of course, a great conductor will have a concept and will help them play together and unify them. ↗
I like to create the music I hear in my interior. As a conductor, you have the ability to squeeze the sounds and interpretation you asked for from 50 to 80 people. ↗
Many, many years ago, I was one of the few conductors who talked to the audience and now a lot of classical conductors have figured it out... otherwise, you just get the back of someone's head playing music you could hear on a CD. It's not enough anymore. ↗
A conductor can do wild things which can feel forced, but if you're directing from within the orchestra, you can't do that, things have to feel natural. ↗