Proms 2018

[french frank]

I thought everyone did.

Beefy, you're such a tease!

[Serial_Apologist]

I do, often. Classical, rock whatever. So do my mates. Not all the time, but fairly often*. I thought everyone did. Why not?

* especially after a Bruckner symphony and during Deep Purple's 'Made In Japan'

For me that would indicate one element in common - heavy - followed by "rock" in the second case, and "duty" in the first.

I often find myself applauding insightful contributions to on-screen TV debates on matters of serious import by clapping and cheering, even when alone; but with music I just leap about the place like an over-enthused child. Thank goodness there's no one around to witness the latter!

[cloughie]

I do, often. Classical, rock whatever. So do my mates. Not all the time, but fairly often*. I thought everyone did. Why not?

* especially after a Bruckner symphony and during Deep Purple's 'Made In Japan'

Yes, I think it’s part of being into the music, sometimes it is just a ‘wow’ or ‘magic’ or bashing those imaginary timps at the end of Schumann 2, singing along with endings eg Firebird or Mother Goose. Just generally joining in!

[ahinton]

Beefy, you're such a tease!

Beef teas?

[Conchis]

The last time I genuinely felt like applauding at a concert was after Trifonov’s performance of Rachmaninov 4 at Birmingham in February of last year.

I’ve now resolved not to applaud at all unless I’ve witnessed a truly outstanding performance. In most cases, my ‘mental appreciation’ suffices, I feel. Artists don’t need applause to let them know they’re ‘good’.

[cloughie]

The last time I genuinely felt like applauding at a concert was after Trifonov’s performance of Rachmaninov 4 at Birmingham in February of last year.

I’ve now resolved not to applaud at all unless I’ve witnessed a truly outstanding performance. In most cases, my ‘mental appreciation’ suffices, I feel. Artists don’t need applause to let them know they’re ‘good’.

I think you’re wrong there, Conchis. Artists do need applause and recognition of their performance at the end and if deserved a standing ovation. Not between movements, however, as this does not not aid concentration!

[MrGongGong]

I think you’re wrong there, Conchis. Artists do need applause and recognition of their performance at the end and if deserved a standing ovation. Not between movements, however, as this does not not aid concentration!

Last time I wrote an orchestral piece that had several movements I was most relieved and happy when people applauded after the first part.
As for Conchis's stance on "mental appreciation" i'm sure there's another Hawkwind track about that

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Last time I wrote an orchestral piece that had several movements I was most relieved and happy when people applauded after the first part.

I'm sure you were pleased. Who wouldn't be at such a potentially anxious time? But a little patience doesn't hurt.

[Richard Barrett]

I am trying and failing to understand what the fuss is about this between-movements thing. I do prefer audiences to be quiet during a performance, but I wouldn't wish to make demands on what they do when there's a break in the music. To put teamsaint's comment in a slightly different way, what happens in a concert is something that involves both performers and listeners. I don't expect audience members to tell me what to do, and I don't presume to tell them what to do.

[MrGongGong]

I'm sure you were pleased. Who wouldn't be at such a potentially anxious time? But a little patience doesn't hurt.

To which I say, it's all about context.

Not being a CE listener I love the way that this subject comes along like predictable Anglican responses
it reminds me of being a choir boy

To which you say........

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

As most of the replies are simply repeating what Forumistas have said every year on this matter, I'll put in my annual comment.

I prefer not to have the gaps between movements interrupted by applause - particularly (for some reason) when I'm listening via speakers (radio, or recordings). I don't mind at concerts I'm attending, although I don't join in (jut as I wouldn't join in any booing between Movements). The reason I prefer to have silence between Movements is because I like to hear the key relationships between the end of one Movement and the start of the next. BUT, in Live concerts, there are worse things that disrupt this continuity than clapping - most obviously the performers tuning up (the sound of the Oboe's A after the last Eb major chords of the First Movement of the Eroica, for example, is particularly disruptive). This, of course, is unavoidable and part of the Live/Live Broadcast experience, and part of what I've learnt to tolerate. With such disruptions, I find the addition of a smattering of applause a comparatively minor irritation.

Alpie's "do you do this at home?" is a new argument in this annual discussion - but not, I think, one that holds up in my case: I not infrequently sing along in vocal works at home on my own, mutter little comments to myself ("Ooh - nice phrasing, Herbie" sort-of thing) and listen in my pyjamas - in none of which behaviour, it will be a relief to hear, do I indulge at a concert.

[MrGongGong]

I not infrequently sing along in vocal works at home on my own, mutter little comments to myself ("Ooh - nice phrasing, Herbie" sort-of thing) and listen in my pyjamas - in none of which behaviour, it will be a relief to hear, do I indulge at a concert.

I bet you dance to this though

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ScxXYjgf3PU

(I know we have seen this before but it seemed appropriate)

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

I bet you dance to this though
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ScxXYjgf3PU

You betcha!

(Dancing and other physical movements to identify rhythmic devices used in a piece is something else I enjoy in home listening that I wouldn't dream of taking into a concert hall as a member of the audience.)

[french frank]

I wouldn't wish to make demands on what they do when there's a break in the music.

Any sort of break? Including between songs in a song cycle?

I think (in other words, that is my impression, though providing concrete examples of such an abstract idea would be difficult: I would not wish to appear to be 'knowing' what goes on in everyone else's mind), the 'clappers' are of two sorts: those who due to inexperience of concert-going are unaware of the tradition, and indeed preference of others, to observe silence during certain 'silences' in the music; and those who know that that has always been the custom, and are well aware at what points this silence is customary, but who want to clap and so they will do so because a) they won't be told by other people what to do b) some other people wouldn't presume to tell them what to do and c) people have, in the last 50 years or so, become much noisier, emotionally demonstrative, even brutal (think road rage or the way footballers celebrate their scoring of a goal) and less inclined in general to 'button it' if they don't feel like it (think social media). In other 'contexts', the overly dramatic and emotionally volatile, or the loudmouths will always trump (no pun intended, fingers crossed behind my back) the quiet, thoughtful and more self-contained. OK? Tough, live with it.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

To which I say, it's all about context.

I was piano accompanist to an excellent violinist in a concert on 14th July. The applause was enthusiastic and reassuring. The violinist was truly excellent (but maybe not the pianist) and deserved such a reception. But there was, thankfully, no applause during the gaps.

We did not rush on to avoid potential interruptions, but some conductors do - a ploy upon which I've mixed feelings. Atmosphere can be ruined by the absence of the break almost as much as by rude interruption by mass-hysteria or ignorance of when the work ends.