Klarinet Archive - Posting 000613.txt from 1999/08

From: "Joseph Farag" <josephfarag@-----.com>
Subj: Re: [kl] Audience Distractions - A Response
Date: Sun, 22 Aug 1999 22:39:49 -0400

Since there seems to be a trend in taking a hiatus from lurker status allow
me to follow suit. The post was accurate in terms of coughing, the clearing
of throats etc. and I totally agree with its comments as a concert goer.
However, as a performer one must wonder about those who refuse to shut off
pager and cellular phones. They are a nuisance not only to the performers
but to fellow audience members. The only excuse I can come up with is for
an on-call brain surgeon, in which case it's excusable (although barely).

Joe

Andrew Michael Schmidt wrote:

> 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
>
> ---------------------------------------------------------------------
> Unsubscribe from Klarinet, e-mail: klarinet-unsubscribe@-----.org
> Subscribe to the Digest: klarinet-digest-subscribe@-----.org
> Additional commands: klarinet-help@-----.org
> Other problems: klarinet-owner@-----.org

---------------------------------------------------------------------
Unsubscribe from Klarinet, e-mail: klarinet-unsubscribe@-----.org
Subscribe to the Digest: klarinet-digest-subscribe@-----.org
Additional commands: klarinet-help@-----.org
Other problems: klarinet-owner@-----.org

Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com

---------------------------------------------------------------------
Unsubscribe from Klarinet, e-mail: klarinet-unsubscribe@-----.org
Subscribe to the Digest: klarinet-digest-subscribe@-----.org
Additional commands: klarinet-help@-----.org
Other problems: klarinet-owner@-----.org

   
     Copyright © Woodwind.Org, Inc. All Rights Reserved    Privacy Policy    Contact charette@woodwind.org