Klarinet Archive - Posting 000615.txt from 2001/02

From: Audrey Travis <vsofan@-----.com>
Subj: Re: [kl] The "one-chord" clarinet solo on THE MACARENAthatsaved the gig
Date: Fri, 16 Feb 2001 20:41:14 -0500

Daniel Leeson wrote:

> Today, the audience is not a participant in the performance of works.
> They are played AT. They are obliged to behave as if they are in
> church. Don't yell and holler and scream if you like something. Just
> shut up and let us do our work, is the attitude.
>
>
> Dan, your's is one valid interpretation of the expectation that audiences at
> today's classical music concerts will be perfectly still and quiet. I can't
> agree that (all or even most) musicians have that "shut up and let us do our
> work attitude". Personally, one major reason I attend these concerts and
> expect (or pray for) silence is to commune/connect with my spirit and my soul
> through the music being performed. For me, silence is a gift. I disagree
> that *church* behaviour is expected, besides, it's my understanding that some
> churches are quite exuberant! Audiences here *do* applaud most appreciatively
> at the end of movements if the performance has been wonderful, and major kudos
> are heard at the end of works if people loved the performance. In Mozart's
> time, his own music was the pop music of the time; today, as we realize his
> genius, we *want* to listen carefully and savour each note and chord (at least
> I do). This happened with a number of jazz groups, too - Benny Goodman's band
> was a dance band, yet there were times when the people on the dance floor fell
> silent and stopped dancing because they simply wanted to listen carefully.
> And I see nothing wrong with changing behaviour standards. Personally, I'm
> convinced that Papa Hayden put that huge forte chord in his Surprise Symphony
> because he was p...'d off that his music was being ignored or snored through!
> So if today, we actually listen to his music, wouldn't he say that's an
> improvement? Perhaps people want to listen more carefully because orchestral
> performance skills have improved so much. Also, today we have other forms of
> music in which reaction is immediate - pop, jazz, etc, so we don't necessarily
> need it for classical music. I would also suggest that silence is a form of
> maturity in the listening public.

Okay, I'm climbing down off my soapbox now and slipping on my flameproof suit -
but take it easy , Dan, it's got a hole in it near my heart....

> Cheers!

Audrey

>
>

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