Klarinet Archive - Posting 000609.txt from 1999/08

From: Andrew Michael Schmidt <schmi179@-----.edu>
Subj: [kl] Audience Distractions - A Response
Date: Sun, 22 Aug 1999 22:39:45 -0400

I would like to briefly relinquish my lurker
status and comment, as a member of many concert
audiences, on the recent posting or two about
'noisy and disruptive' concert audiences. It is to
the authors of those posts, and other same minded
people, that this is directed.
I recognize a musicians talent; as I strive to
learn to play the clarinet I realize how demanding
music can be, and though I lack the talent to be a
'real' musician, I will continue to try. However,
back to my point; we are all human. Humans at
concerts have a tendency to do trivial things that
upset others, such as an audience member who
coughs or a musician who plays the wrong note
(yes, I heard you). I love to listen to live
concerts for those reasons; unlike a recorded CD
performance, it is these disruptions and subtle
musical nuances that makes each live performance
unique and interesting. Besides, when one must
cough, there is little one can do other than to
let it out. We may not even be sick; the same dry
air that cracks your instruments can also cause a
cough.
In addition, it was common, so I have read, that
in the days in which many of these pieces were
written, audiences were moved to express
themselves by applauding at inopportune times, and
this was accepted as high praise by the musicians.
I have also read about conductors, after such
outbursts, who would actually replay that portion
of the piece for the audience so that all could
enjoy it again. So I have read; I was not there in
person to verify this, so please pardon any
historical inaccuracies. I have also heard that it
has only been in modern times that conductors and
musicians have taken such spontaneous praise as an
insult. Perhaps it is not the CD mentality of the
audience that creates the problem, but a lack of
appreciation, by those wonderfully talented people
who play the music, to realize how emotional a
well played piece may be to us common folks.
Perhaps you should also understand that we all,
both musicians and audience members, cough from
time to time. Perhaps you should appreciate the
time and effort that it takes for us to battle
traffic after a full work day to come and listen
to you make your magic, just as we recognize the
time and effort that it takes you to do your job.
Perhaps you should welcome us as we come to listen
to you; we could stay at home to listen to the
same CD over and over. Perhaps you should be
grateful for a cough or two; someday you may look
out and no one will be there to cough, applaud at
the wrong time, or to listen to your music.
By the way, I do not respond to flames.
Respectfully returning to lurker status. Good day.

AMS

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