Perlman scolds audience for refusing to applaud

[Josquin des Prez]

Let's face it, Florida audiences are notoriously lazy and conservative.

Maybe they are just expressing a preference.

[Bu]

At least they didn't boo.

I've booed a few bad performances.

[springrite]

And further, lest anyone think otherwise, this thread title is not the same as the title of the review, which is:

"Perlman scolds, cajoles, and charms Kravis audience" [bold my emphasis]

And even further, the final sentence of the review implies that even with the admonishment about applause, the audience ultimately had a great time:

"Intonation problems were evident in the higher reaches of this familiar saltarello, and it ended up sounding messy rather than sparkling, but there was a roar of acclamation afterward from the huge audience, which in any case Perlman had in the palm of his hand all night."

(Just saw that Peter posted this as well.)

Let's get the entire story, please.

--Bruce

See what I mean? I know from the beginning (see my earlier posts) that the report we received was not only not the whole story, it is not even recognisable as even part of the whole story. It is ashame that people are made to respond, some rather emotionally, especially to agree with the post, in this underhanded manipulative manner.

[jlaurson]

So someone else is now referring to him as ACDC.....

or pocket-Lebrecht, if you prefer.

[Wilhelm Richard]

I've booed a few bad performances.

Well then you must not have been paying attention!

It somebody in the audience just didn't enjoy the music (or, once again, the performace) they must have not really been listening and deserve a lecture. 

I do not see anything wrong with Mr. Douglas' commentary on Perlman's behavior.  One did not need to attend the concert to question the fact that an audience was addressed (now that we don't like the word scolded) about their apparent lack of enthusiasm for a piece of music. 

And if Perlman really wanted to raise the bar of expections for the audience, he wouldn't have trotted out that gem by Hack von Williams!

[mikkeljs]

I can understand Perlman as well as I respect the audience (well I have never really cared about audiences). If Perlman was not satisfied with his own performance, he would probably not be able to accept how it was, and instead of cutting his fingers off (if he is a pianist), he simply let his aggressions out to the audience - and will probably say sorry one day.

And if he actually was satisfied with himself, perhabs he felt like performing in front of a stupid school class who don´t understand anything, and feel angry at them right from the start - with a good reason.

[jlaurson]

I can understand Perlman as well as I respect the audience (well I have never really cared about audiences). If Perlman was not satisfied with his own performance, he would probably not be able to accept how it was, and instead of cutting his fingers off (if he is a pianist), he simply let his aggressions out to the audience - and will probably say sorry one day.

And if he actually was satisfied with himself, perhabs he felt like performing in front of a stupid school class who don´t understand anything, and feel angry at them right from the start - with a good reason.

It would really help if you read the article in question, before commenting. Before you will "probably say sorry one day". 

[Bu]

Well then you must not have been paying attention!

It somebody in the audience just didn't enjoy the music (or, once again, the performace) they must have not really been listening and deserve a lecture. 

I do not see anything wrong with Mr. Douglas' commentary on Perlman's behavior.  One did not need to attend the concert to question the fact that an audience was addressed (now that we don't like the word scolded) about their apparent lack of enthusiasm for a piece of music. 

And if Perlman really wanted to raise the bar of expections for the audience, he wouldn't have trotted out that gem by Hack von Williams!

Bu sez boo to all that..............

Seriously, if a performance is bad and contrary to my taste, I'd just keep silent and head for the spot where snacks and beverages are sold. Since I've never actually done this (I have more patience than I'd like to admit to), then my attention span isn't that small. 

[Homo Aestheticus]

I could not agree more, and I do not see why folks are reacting so violently to the fact that Perlman's "I like this and so should you" attitude was not appreciated by some.  I have always questioned the somewhat obligatory response of enthusiastic applause at the end of ANY sort of performance whether it be good, mediocre, or just plain terrible. 

It would be wonderful to to see a little more honesty from audiences...I am not suggesting a free-for-all (a la Paris premieres of Tannhauser or Rite of Spring) I just feel that if the audience does not enjoy (or even appreciate) the work (or the performance) they should not execute the Audience's Signal of Enjoyment and Appreciation (or, Applause).  There is nothing "Anti-Modern" about this idea (in my opinion  )  It is respectful to give some sort of acknowledgment of the performer's work which this audience seemed to and, like someone said, Perlman should just be glad the did not boo.

Word.

[Homo Aestheticus]

Not only NOT inappropriate, but WONDERFUL. He didn't ask for applause for himself. Whether encouraging audiences to applaud a performance of a work they didn't like is OK or not... well... that's debatable. But it becomes clear from the article (which, as pointed out above [thank you, Springrite], does not do much quoting, just a little paraphrasing and a lot of conjecture -- upon which ACDC builds more of his usual conjecture and blustering) that he was trying to advocate and champion a wonderful, but neither common nore "easy", piece of music.

Let's face it, Florida audiences are notoriously lazy and conservative. Many performers I know go there, turn in a second-rate performance, cash the check, and then bitch about the audience. Perlman didn't do any behind-the-back bitching, he confronted -- politely, I am sure -- the issue... and he opened their ears. Maybe 1/2 of the people that had not clapped the first time but did the second time didn't get it then, either... and clapped out of politeness. (I'm not a fan of that. I'm too European... and I'm all for booing bad performances [though not music I didn't like, lest the composer be present].) BUT if 1/2/ of the people who didn't clap the first time listened more intently... listened for beauty (hidden or otherwise), instead of only waiting for familiarity to tickle their ears, then he did more to the Florida music scene and the music appreciation of these people, than any other artist down there. Bravo Perlman!
You are correct. I will edit the title now.


Not only relevant: essential!

Jens,

We will have to respectfully disagree.    

Also, I don't care how personally charming a musician is. It's just silly to chide an audience for their supposed aesthetic insensitivity during  one segment of a concert.

So there was a 'lapse' of etiquette...  What is the big deal ? 

[Homo Aestheticus]

And if Perlman really wanted to raise the bar of expections for the audience, he wouldn't have trotted out that gem by Hack von Williams!

Excellent point.

Or better yet he could have ended the concert with the Messiaen work instead, since it was so 'terrific'.

[karlhenning]

Excellent point.

Says he who squeals over the score to Superman.

[jlaurson]

Jens,
We will have to respectfully disagree.    
Also, I don't care how personally charming a musician is. It's just silly to chide an audience for their supposed aesthetic insensitivity during  one segment of a concert.
So there was a 'lapse' of etiquette...  What is the big deal ? 

The whole "etiquette" and "scolding" (for all I can tell, there really was nothing going on deserving that word) is a red Herring. The issue turns out to be a very different one, namely the reception and willingness to receive of music that doesn't conform to what is familiar to them. The point about not clapping after hearing something they didn't recognize is easy to make and flashy, but rather misleading in this context.

Surely we need not be outraged on behalf of an audience that wasn't?!

[Homo Aestheticus]

The whole "etiquette" and "scolding" (for all I can tell, there really was nothing going on deserving that word) is a red Herring. The issue turns out to be a very different one, namely the reception and willingness to receive of music that doesn't conform to what is familiar to them. The point about not clapping after hearing something they didn't recognize is easy to make and flashy, but rather misleading in this context.

Surely we need not be outraged on behalf of an audience that wasn't?!

It's the fact that he had to address a hall full of  adults  that I find unnecessary and silly. They listened quietly to the performance and did not applause. That was their honest response.

Seriously, what more do you want from these people ?   

[Wilhelm Richard]

Surely we need not be outraged on behalf of an audience that wasn't?!

We can never know for sure...maybe they were just HYPNOTIZED by this charm we are told Mr. Perlman exudes...or maybe they were just placating him and praying that he would not play the piece a third time.  But maybe (and this is only a maybe) THEY JUST DIDN'T LIKE THE PIECE OF MUSIC!

It's the fact that he had to address a hall full of  adults  that I find unnecessary and silly. They listened quietly to the performance and did not applause. That was their honest response.

(Quoted this because the thought seems to be cry out for reading over and over again...)

Seriously, what more do you want from these people ?   

Don't you know?  They were supposed to pour out into the streets crying "Messiaen!  Messiaen!" and go home to forum's like this one, where they would expound on the glories of that composer and of his Greatest Living Interpreter and Advocate...Mister Itzhak Perlman.

[karlhenning]

The whole "etiquette" and "scolding" (for all I can tell, there really was nothing going on deserving that word) is a red herring. The issue turns out to be a very different one, namely the reception and willingness to receive of music that doesn't conform to what is familiar to them. The point about not clapping after hearing something they didn't recognize is easy to make and flashy, but rather misleading in this context.

Surely we need not be outraged on behalf of an audience that wasn't?!

Hear, hear.

[Josquin des Prez]

We can never know for sure...maybe they were just HYPNOTIZED by this charm we are told Mr. Perlman exudes...or maybe they were just placating him and praying that he would not play the piece a third time.  But maybe (and this is only a maybe) THEY JUST DIDN'T LIKE THE PIECE OF MUSIC!

(Quoted this because the thought seems to be cry out for reading over and over again...)

Don't you know?  They were supposed to pour out into the streets crying "Messiaen!  Messiaen!" and go home to forum's like this one, where they would expound on the glories of that composer and of his Greatest Living Interpreter and Advocate...Mister Itzhak Perlman.

Hear, hear.

[some guy]

Um before this thread gets too silly, I mean any sillier, may I just point out that the practice of addressing, haranguing, berating audiences (of adults) from the stage is centuries old? Perlman is certainly not the first nor the only guy to do this, though he may perhaps be the most charming.

I venture to guess that the OP may himself have been in an audience that was criticized for being too noisy or inattentive or unreceptive. My concert-going life is only forty years long, and I've seen conductors stop pieces to scold audiences, refusing to start again until they'd settled down. I've seen soloists put down their instruments and lecture the audience on how to listen to music.

And even if you've never experienced anything like this yourself (it's just barely possible, I suppose), surely you've read about it.

[Homo Aestheticus]

Um before this thread gets too silly, I mean any sillier, may I just point out that the practice of addressing, haranguing, berating audiences (of adults) from the stage is centuries old? Perlman is certainly not the first nor the only guy to do this, though he may perhaps be the most charming.

I venture to guess that the OP may himself have been in an audience that was criticized for being too noisy or inattentive or unreceptive. My concert-going life is only forty years long, and I've seen conductors stop pieces to scold audiences, refusing to start again until they'd settled down. I've seen soloists put down their instruments and lecture the audience on how to listen to music.

And even if you've never experienced anything like this yourself (it's just barely possible, I suppose), surely you've read about it.

This audience, from everything we've read, was both quiet and attentive. There were no walkouts, loud coughing, rustling of program notes, conspicuous yawning, etc.

They merely refused to applaud.

Again, is that such a horrible thing ?     

[karlhenning]

This audience, from everything we've read, was both quiet and attentive. There were no walkouts, loud coughing, rustling of program notes, conspicuous yawning, etc.

They merely refused to applaud.

Again, is that such a horrible thing ?     

Again you miss the point, Eric.

For the hundredth time:

Perlman merely addressed the audience.

Again, is that such a horrible thing?