CONCERT PROGRAM NOTES

The other day we attended a concert featuring a lovely young lady pianist, and we thoroughly enjoyed the show. The following was included in the program, and I thought you might find it interesting.

CLAP HAPPY

You’re lost in the stirring music of a symphony as it comes to a rousing conclusion. In your enthusiasm you start to clap, only then realizing it’s the end of the first movement, not the entire piece. You’ve just invited glares from other audience members, and perhaps even the conductor. Oh my!

You must wait until the end of the entire symphony before you show your appreciation. Did you ever wonder how these etched-in-stone rules came to be? Those who adopt this unwritten rule state that a symphony or concerto is conceived as a whole, and the movements are related. They belong together and clapping disrupts the flow and causes a disconnect in your mind. The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra actually prints a statement in the program asking the audience to hold applause until the very end of a composition. Although this is rare, the practice of not applauding is accepted and expected. This to the chagrin of many concert-goers and even performers.

Before classical music became such an intimidating form of entertainment, it was like pop music is today. Concerts were fun, noisy events with the audience clapping, shouting, even while the music was being played. Some people believe that classical music isn’t as popular as it once was because the fun has been removed from the concert experience and this aura of refinement has been wrapped around it.

Fortunately this seems to be changing as symphonies mix different musical genres, performers expand their repertoire and conductors even speak to the audience! Emanuel Ax, an advocate of applause, says, “All of us love applause...it means the audience likes us!”

Let’s look forward to the day when these rules are relaxed and audiences can show the emotional response and appreciation that makes them want to stand up and cheer. Positive feedback is good for everyone.

Meanwhile here are a few clues as to when the piece is over and you can clap:

* The conductor puts down his baton and turns to face the audience.
* The musicians put down their instruments.
* Everyone else begins to clap.
* The lights come up in the theater.
* People begin to leave.
* The cleaning crew comes in.


* * *

I have been to symphony concerts with “misplaced” applause where the conductor did indeed turn around and glare at the audience.

Apparently these “rules” do not apply to opera, where there appears to be applause after every aria! Does that interrupt the flow?

Humor -

Samsung Electronics
Caller: "Can you give me the telephone number for Jack?"
Operator: "I'm sorry, sir, I don't understand who you are talking about."
Caller: "On page 1, section 5, of the user guide it clearly states that I need to unplug the fax machine from the AC wall socket and telephone Jack before cleaning. Now, can you give me the number for Jack?"
Operator: "I think it means the telephone plug on the wall."