To clap, or not to clap

[Robert Newman]

I have heard from several live broadcasts that in parts of Scandinavia audiences to a concert will applaud/clap rythmically, together, and this is very interesting in itself. I don't know if it's true of all Scandinavian audiences.

 

[Krummhorn]

Not to clap, because it obviously distracts the performer. Any piano concerto ( and any other solo performance, for sure ) requires an immense concentration of a soloist. Help him to do his job!

I quite agree. As a solo performer on organ the erratic applause between quiet movements of an organ piece are rather unnerving - almost breaks my concentration.

Applause can be quite a problem at organ recitals held in churches, especially if (as has been known to happen) the audience is small, and they feel (quite wrongly in my opinion) that they shouldn't clap because they're in a church. For myself, I absolutely hate it if the end of a piece is met with stoney silence, so I usually take it on myself to begin the applause, but it's quite a responibility if you're not familiar with the music, almost to the point where it can stop you enjoying it!

I've only encountered the "silent applause" on one occasion - it was at an all black SDA church years ago ... they didn't clap, rather a very loud "Amen" was heard in unison at the end of the piece. At times, I heard "Hallelujah" and "Amen" shouted out loud during the piece ... it was a most strange experience, but the people were very very appreciative of the music I played.

I've not had to initiate the applause ... yet. That would be quite different and yet an awkward situation.

For some programs I play, I request that any applause is held until just before the intermission or at the end of the program ... saves all that bowing and smiling stuff ... For an organ concert, as a performer, I prefer to remain planted on the bench between numbers if at all possible.

 

[Tûrwethiel]

I agree about the interruptions to a performer's concentration ... horrid. I imagine it would have almost the same effect as a tantrum-throwing toddler whose parents refuse to take him or her out for some quiet time!

Robert, I've heard clapping along during concerts in other parts of the world. Some of Mr Strauss II's more popular works seem to have that effect, the Radetsky March for instance.

Cheers

Vicki

 

[Andrew Roussak]

A bit more to the topic :

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/131149/the_ultimate_guide_to_classical_concert.html?cat=33

Ya see guys I was right on it : the beer is not allowed on the classical concerts. A different kind of experience is it, so they say...:crazy:

 

[marval]

Hi Andrew,

Thank you for that, it does give a good guide to concert etiquette.


Margaret

 

[jvhldb]

I agree about the interruptions to a performer's concentration ... horrid. I imagine it would have almost the same effect as a tantrum-throwing toddler whose parents refuse to take him or her out for some quiet time!

Robert, I've heard clapping along during concerts in other parts of the world. Some of Mr Strauss II's more popular works seem to have that effect, the Radetsky March for instance.

Cheers

Vicki

I disagree about the tantrum throwing, in our church the organ gallery is seen as a type of crech for the kids that are considered unsuitable to sit in the church itself, so with enough practice you learn to ignore tantrums and kids using the organ and consol as a jungle gym.

Some members from the Viena Phylarmonic Orgistra held a string workshop at the local music academy last year. At the appropriate times the conductor turned arround and "conducted" the audience in the handclapping.

 

[Robert Newman]

I agree about the interruptions to a performer's concentration ... horrid. I imagine it would have almost the same effect as a tantrum-throwing toddler whose parents refuse to take him or her out for some quiet time!

Robert, I've heard clapping along during concerts in other parts of the world. Some of Mr Strauss II's more popular works seem to have that effect, the Radetsky March for instance.

Cheers

Vicki

Yes Vicki,

In this case the applause from these Scandinavian audiences comes at the end of the piece but it's synchronised with each member of the audience clapping at the same moment. It was remarkable to hear and I first came across it in a live broadcast from Oslo in Norway on the BBC. Later from other radio broadcasts. It's unusual but nice.

Regards

 

[jassmakeme]

don't clap! haha just be rude.. jk..
just clap casually and all will be good for one show.

 

[jassmakeme]

don't clap! haha just be rude.. jk..
just clap casually and all will be good for one show.
there might be some of them that would get angry if you don't clap =)




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[dll927]

On another tack, it seems common in some churches to applaud the choir at the end of an anthem.

If you watch Crystal Cathedral broadcasts, it happens nearly all the time - but those may be mostly tourists who are there for the "I was there" value. I've also seen it some of the time at the Coral Ridge church, which seems to have disappeared with their rather controversial new pastor.

Should the congregation applaud the choir? ____Yes _____NO

 

[Dorsetmike]

Applause, no during or after a service, but OK for a recital/concert.

 

[Fretless]

The congregation at my church will applaud the choir if it is a special event. For example, we did the Bruckner Te Deum and it took the place of the sermon for that day--I played in the orchestra (got to do the violin solo ).

 

[jhnbrbr]

A long time ago I attended a church performance of "Olivet to Calvary" and at the end there was total silence, which always makes me feel embarrassed on behalf of the performers, so I raised my hands and almost started clapping single-handedly (as I've sometimes done at organ recitals), but lost my nerve at the last minute and put them down again. Later I overheard the conductor talking to someone: "Thank God no-one applauded this time. The last time we performed this work some idiot clapped at the end!"

EDIT: When I said clapping "single-handedly" I meant on my own, of course, not using one hand only!!

 

[Contratrombone64]

Nothing wrong with "the clap" ...

 

[Montefalco]

One time I saw a performance of a flute concerto by Mozart where the audience started clapping after a flute solo, halfway through a movement. I also went to a concert where heard a string duo by Ravel played, and through about half the first movement there was a baby crying. I felt sorry for the mother of the baby, because she had to leave the concert.

 

[teddy]

I would agree that claping at the end of the performance is far more appropriate. The practice of claping at the start of a performance seems to have spread over here from America. I find it distracting and for me it can spoil the intro. During a jazz performance it can be ok to applaud, stamp your feet or even call out to acknowledge a particularly fine solo or break, but then the atmosphere is a little different.
teddy

 

[marval]

I agree teddy, at Classical concerts people should wait until the end to applaud.

I went to a Jazz concert two weeks ago, and the audience were encouraged to applaud the soloists. It seemed it was what was expected.


Margaret

 

[teddy]

Was this in England or the colonies margaret

teddy

 

[marval]

This was in England, it was a great concert.


Margaret

 

[Contratrombone64]

"the colonies?" I think NOT, we are trying hard to get rid of the Monarchy from the Australian constitution, trouble is our former prime minister's model was not acceptable to the populous. I'm still waiting for a chance to bring them to the guillotine, the French had the right idea.