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Fed up with people making noise at classical shows

Last night I heard Vladimir Feltsman perform Chopin's Ballades at the Perelman Theater in Philadelphia's Kimmel Center. My excitement was building as my favorite part of the first Ballade approached. Immediately before the key was struck, someone sneezed. It was at that moment that I asked myself, "What the hell am I doing here? I have this at home, recorded by three different pianists." Throughout the performance were the sounds of coughing, sneezing moving in one's seat, dropping of programs, and talking.

I know this is the chance you take when attending live classical concerts and I LOVE hearing live music, but frankly I'm sick of it. I'm sick of paying money for traveling and the ticket itself just to be annoyed for two hours. Last Tuesday night a ringing cell phone disrupted a performance by the New York Philharmonic to the point where the conductor actually stopped the orchestra half way through Mahler's Ninth and addressed the moron who wouldn't shut it off.

Once, DURING A PERFORMANCE, someone got out of their seat, walked up to the stage and began "conducting the orchestra" with an imaginary baton.

As I said, I love attending live music, but when things like this happen, I'm ready to just stay home and save myself the aggravation.

Sorry, just had to vent.
devilboy
rdavwhitaker
173 posts
 
Let me add to Brownfan's can of worms the tendency of audiences at both classical concerts and theater performances to reward every performance, whether ordinary, good or great, with a standing ovation.

I don't condemn anyone who sneezes or coughs (unless they have come to the concert ill). It happens to all of us.

But between the cellphones and other boorish behavior, I agree with the original post -- I find myself going to live performances less and less, in favor of sitting in my own comfortable chair, with an excellent stereo system, rather than going down to the concert hall. And I am confident that this is not a good thing.
rshak
418 posts
 
I feel your pain, Devilboy. Unfortunately, the behavior you cite is another example of the general coarsening of our society (along with sloppy dress in public, folks wearing baseball caps while dining in restaurants, etc). Perhaps we'll come full circle: back in the day of Haydn and Mozart, concert attendees chatted during performances, consumed food and beverages packed for the occasion, etc. But - - - as i understand it - - - at least they dressed well.
brownsfan
1,508 posts
 
Rdavwhitaker, I've seen the same thing. Standing O's for pedestrian performances week after week. CEO's who fire music directors who resist programing Beethoven every week in hopes of drawing in huge numbers of newbies so they can clap after every measure. I cancelled my subscription to the ISO. I've got a half a dozen performances of the War horses by the best orchestras in the world. I can get my Beethoven at home. It is most certainly not a good thing when people like me decide to go elsewhere for music.
devilboy OP
1,176 posts
 
Davt: It's about the RESPECT that one should give to the composer, the musicians, the audience and most importantly, the MUSIC itself. One thing I've noticed attending around twenty concerts a season for seven years is this: MOST, not all, but most of the audience is made up of older people. Not middle-aged, but older. Look, I'm not saying that only older people make noise at shows, but let's be real, it's an ocean of gray and white at classical concerts. Maybe the older generation has a difficult time being silent? Coughing, sneezing, dropping things, etc. I can't believe I just wrote that but hey, it is what it is.
chadnliz
3,736 posts
 
If its a cough or sneeze you guys need to quit being snobs, especially to the elderly because its not their fault they are older and in poorer health. You guys are the type that gives classical the arrogant pretentious label many attach to the art. Phones, conversations are open game but in a way claps in wrong areas shows 2 things its hard to get mad about, it means appreaciation and growth and with that we can hope strengthening the number of fans, something really needed.
If it bugs you people can sneeze (you do know you cant predict that right) or that people at times may cough then stay home.
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