The “Fermata”
(Hold) and “Release”
Executing the gesture in a rather high position (above the head) beat only the beginning and end of the note.
1—Indicates the start.
2—Indicates the culmination of the chord which must be brought about with a quick, incisive movement to the right, preceded by a short preparatory movement to the left
When the “fermata” (hold) is at the end of the piece, terminate the chord by a sharp second down-beat preceded only by a slight preparatory curve. The second down-beat must be long enough to remove the baton completely from the sight of the audience and to bring it to such a position that definitely terminates all further conducting.
When the “fermata” or hold comes on a note in the midst of a phrase, merely sustain that beat longer than the others.
In example (b) hold the “fermata” on the third beat after beating “one” and “two”.