Applause: A dose of the clap!
I know! I can hear you groaning already. A blog on yet another topic that has received so much attention in recent months: the question of whether we’re too stuffy about applause during classical concerts and how we ought react during performances? But how many times have you taken your place in an auditorium and found yourself sitting next to some Pithicanthropic moron, who insists on showing his appreciation during any pause longer than a quaver rest, in a way that would make the drummer from the Muppets look like a slummocking vegetable. Or, two minutes into the symphony’s slow movement, you find that the guy is also some kind of chronic consumptive as he hawks and barks his way through your favourite bit in a phlegm-lubricated fit of coughing. That kind of thing makes me see red because, for me, classical music demands a respect during performance that most other forms of music don’t require. (I can see the jazz, folk and rock fans hyperventilating about that remark already but don’t worry, I’m not suggesting that they are lesser forms in any way.) In the concert hall much classical music has an intensity that demands to be appreciated fully and needs to be listened to fully. The complex texture of a symphony for instance can easily wash over the casual listener and, again, I’m not saying that such a work can’t be listened to in that way but in the rarified atmosphere of the concert hall live music requires a heightened state of attention.
Breaking conventions and unwritten rules
Whether or not you should clap between movements of a piece is a question that seems to preoccupy most classical music listeners. But again it boils down to respect for the music, doesn’t it? Breaking the rapt spell of silence at the end of an intense slow movement with applause and whoops of delight isn’t perhaps appropriate but showing your appreciation after, say, a brilliantly realised and performed scherzo is okay. I certainly wouldn’t worry about the tutting from the stuffed shirt in evening dress sitting next to you. And talking of dress, here are the kinds of instructions that put people off going to classical concerts: “Although you don’t need to dress as if you were attending a state dinner at the White House or a royal wedding, you will probably feel more comfortable at a classical concert if you dress in a respectful manner. Different audience members will interpret this in different ways, but you should generally avoid clothing with holes, rips, or tears; very casual shorts, skirts, or jeans; and very casual t-shirts or tank tops. A safe outfit for a female would be a nice dress or suit, and for a male, nice pants and a jacket and tie. Less formal dress may be acceptable, as may more formal dress, but a good rule of thumb might be to dress as if you were going to attend your church, synagogue, or other house of worship, visit the bank for a loan, or make an appearance to defend yourself in court” (extract from a web page of on classical music concert etiqette from essortment.com). Nice pants and a tie! Claptrap! Wear what the hell you like!
As far as showing your appreciation is concerned – go with the flow. Respect the music and performers of course, but there’s nothing wrong with showing your enjoyment and appreciation in the time-honoured way – with a dose of the clap, ignoring those benighted cretins who look at you as though that’s just what you’ve given them!
