In this paper I argue that this tension arises from the power hierarchy which is an inherent structural feature of the orchestral workplace. In the first section I describe the musical tasks of the conductor and the musicians and explicate the power relations under which these tasks are performed. In Section II I use Marx's concept of alienated labor to point out that while the hierarchical power relations are necessary, they also stand in the way of musical responsiveness between conductor and musicians. Section III examines whether Plato's Republic can serve as a model for understanding the power relations in the orchestra.