"Modernists" and "traditionalists" among conductors

White tie is traditionally the required dress code of members of symphony orchestras during concerts. Of course, there are occasions when more casual clothing is favoured, but tailcoats, at least in my opinion, look great on more formal evenings.

Conductors are, at least in principle, also expected to wear white tie in concerts where the orchestra members wear tailcoats. However, many conductors - as well as soloists - have lately opted for a more liberal dress code. There is a group of "modernists", who prefer their own kind "haute couture". Still, maybe the majority of maestros, both old and young, prefer the traditional white tie.

Below you will find some of the main "players" in the two teams, "modernists" and "traditionalists". I must admit that I prefer the traditionalists (but only with regard to the dress code!):

The "modernist" maestro team: 

Daniel Barenboim

Neeme Järvi

                   

Karel Mark Chicon

Esa-Pekka Salonen

Jukka-Pekka Saraste

Paavo Järvi

Evelino Pido

Lorin Maazel has a foot in both camps

The "traditionalist" maestro team: 

Bernard Haitink

Sir Simon Rattle

Christian Thielemann

Mariss Jansons

Asher Fisch

Gustavo Dudamel

Diego Matheuz

Alan Gilbert

Andrew Harding

Sir John Eliot Gardiner

PS

Of course, the above listing is very tentative. It is e.g. not unusual that some of the traditionalists on certain occasions have chose to temporarily join the "modernists", and vice versa.