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RE: Audience responce

I was reading something (novel?) written during the 1920s recently ( sorry, I cannot remember wnat is was, early Doris Lessing probably) and of its time. In it one character is questioning another about his concert going " Do you follow the new fashion for not clapping between movements?".

Two points then. Not clapping between movements was still a novelty in the 1920s. Moreover it was considered as a fashion.

It seems clear to me that the normal "artistic" justification for not clapping is entirely wrong for much of the repertoire where the composer has clearly anticipated and invited an audience response at the end of movements or even during them (the latter , for example, at the end of cadenzas in many concertos).

As clothing fashions change so do musical ones. I have noted an increase in clapping between movements in London over the past few years. But what seems to be emerging is a distinction between works inviting some degree of inter movement applause and those where it would obviously be inappropriate ( for example works with a liturgical basis).

There also seems to be emerging some kind of distinction between the level of applause offered between movements and that reserved for the conclusion.

Who knows what will happen in due course? The classical world must hope to continue its existence with new and, therefore, younger audiences. Social norms and education mean that most of these younger people may not come from a background familiar with either the music or expected behaviour. To anyone from a rock or jazz heritage applauding when it seems appropriate is the norm.

So, like everything else in the universe, the only thing that I expect to occur is change. The concert going behaviour established during the first half of the 20th century will appear as quaint as that of other eras appears odd to us now.



Edits: 10/02/16

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  • RE: Audience responce - PAR 15:02:09 10/02/16 (0)

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