Truncating the applause

[gurnemanz]

Whatever about truncating or not truncating applause, what I find especially irritating is when the presenter jumps in with often vacuous waffle as soon as the applause begins. A bit of breathing space would be appreciated before speech intrudes.

The longest applause I have ever encountered was for the Herbert Kegel Parsifal in Leipzig - about half an hour - a momentous occasion relished by the Parsifal-starved East Germans and an impressive performance which is about to be accorded some sort of cult status with a vinyl reissue.

[Petrushka]

Whatever about truncating or not truncating applause, what I find especially irritating is when the presenter jumps in with often vacuous waffle as soon as the applause begins.

I'm not sure that this happens in live concert broadcasts on R3. As mentioned in my post above, Radio 3 policy would seem to be pretty much as it was when I first listened in the very late 1960s, that is, one minute of applause then a fade down for the announcer. Whether any subsequent waffle is vacuous or not is a matter of opinion. In my experience, it isn't, usually.

[Wallace]

This week the applause and the end of the live concert was faded three times:
- Monday from the Concertgebouw after 3 minutes to return us to Broadcasting House for some recorded music;
- Thursday from the Bridgewater Hall again after 3 minutes and again to go back to BH for recorded music;
- Friday from Snape Maltings after 4 mins but this time to prevent the programme running past the end of its allotted slot in the schedule.

On Tuesday and Wednesday the concerts came from smaller venues and the applause was of shorter duration and was not faded. On Tuesday from the Wigmore Hall it lasted for only 1 minute but this was after an encore. On Wednesday from Wilton Church it lasted just over two minutes.

If there is to be prolonged applause at the end of a live concert to show appreciation following an exceptional performance or a performance in exceptional circumstances, I, as a listener to the concert would like to know about it and hear it. Something exceptional has occurred - and it is part of the thrill of a live performance.

[amateur51]

This week the applause and the end of the live concert was faded three times:
- Monday from the Concertgebouw after 3 minutes to return us to Broadcasting House for some recorded music;
- Thursday from the Bridgewater Hall again after 3 minutes and again to go back to BH for recorded music;
- Friday from Snape Maltings after 4 mins but this time to prevent the programme running past the end of its allotted slot in the schedule.

On Tuesday and Wednesday the concerts came from smaller venues and the applause was of shorter duration and was not faded. On Tuesday from the Wigmore Hall it lasted for only 1 minute but this was after an encore. On Wednesday from Wilton Church it lasted just over two minutes.

If there is to be prolonged applause at the end of a live concert to show appreciation following an exceptional performance or a performance in exceptional circumstances, I, as a listener to the concert would like to know about it and hear it. Something exceptional has occurred - and it is part of the thrill of a live performance.

I agree, Wallace

Perhaps we could lose a news bulletin or two to compensate?