Burt Bacharach rehearses “Nikki“ (1972)

Burt Bacharach was known for his signature emotive style of conducting. Here’s a rare glimpse of him conducting in rehearsal and explaining along the way what he wants his players to do. It’s amazing to witness his process of getting the orchestra to project the complex musical textures he hears in his head. “Nikki“ is the composition Burt named after his daughter and was adapted on a grander scale to become the instantly recognizable theme of “The ABC Movie of the Week“ series of made-for-TV-movies in the ’70s. From the 1972 ITC television special, “Burt Bacharach and Associates“ (a/k/a “Chevrolet Presents Burt Bacharach“).