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Soundcheck / January 31, 2008 / Changing Concert Behavior

Changing Concert Behavior

Thursday, January 31, 2008

In today's classical music world, audiences musn't clap between movements and performers must never improvise or deviate from the printed score. That, at least, is how tradition has evolved. But in his new book "After the Golden Age," pianist and author Kenneth Hamilton explains how concert behavior in the 19th century was much freer and more spontaneous. He joins us to explain why.

Weigh in: Do you prefer silence at a classical music concert? What would you change about concert-going?

More about "After the Golden Age. Romantic Pianism and Modern Performance"


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  • [1] mark kingsley from new york January 31, 2008 - 02:14PM

    I saw Jordi Savall at Zankel Hall in October and had my experience disrupted by the staff photographer in the back of the house. His camera shutter could be heard along with Savall's viola de gamba -- which is an intimate instrument that does not project well.

    So there are instances where silence IS golden.
  • [2] Jae Gruenke from midtown January 31, 2008 - 02:17PM

    This makes me think also about the other side of the coin -- the spontainiety of the performer in returning to how the classical masterworks were originally experienced. Are you familiar with the classical pianist Eric Barnhill, whose passion is bringing improvisation back into classical performacne, and who posts music improvised in the classical style on his Daily Improvisation blog, www.ericbarnhill.wordpress.com?


  • [3] Mark Greenberg from The Bronx January 31, 2008 - 02:19PM

    As a classical guitarist, I'm sorry to note that Andres Segovia was quite autocratic about keeping his audience quiet and would repremand coughers for not staying at home. True, the unamplified classical guitar demands a low level of audience noise, but at least part of it was imposed personality.


  • [4] gabby from new york January 31, 2008 - 02:25PM

    When the applauding and cheering are too loud I literally can't hear the music, which, at this point, is the most exciting music. How did they get around that in the good'l days?

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