Does clapping inbetween movements make you feel...?

[Harry]

At many of the concert halls in NYC they give out free ricola candies so that anyone who needs to cough has something to suck on.  I actually threw one of them at a man in the box next to mine one night when his snoring got too loud.  I suppose he didn't care for the music, but it was Mahler, so I was very, very irritated.  Unfortunately, he didn't wake up, which really got me angry.   

We are much alike Bunny. Next time throw a brick! That is bound to wake him up.
Boy that would be the top of angryness, if I were confronted with that.
Would have loved to see you doing that though. Throwing candies!

[Bunny]

Harry, I though of throwing my playbook but realized that it would make more noise than the snorer. 

Sometimes you have to put up with noisy neighbors, it's just too bad in the theater (movies or play) or the concert hall.  At least there haven't been any cell phones lately.  Nowadays, if your cell phone goes off, you could be facing a lynch mob from the angry audience.

[Bunny]

Harry, talking about cellphones, when I went to see the revival of Cabaret a few years ago, there was a group of noisy Russians behind me who were chattering away to each other and on their cellphones during the whole first act.  The actors became so annoyed with them that at the intermission, the theater manager actually came out and asked them to leave the theater.   When they got up, the rest of the audience erupted in applause.  That was probably a lot worse than the occasional burst of applause in the wrong place.

[Harry]

Harry, talking about cellphones, when I went to see the revival of Cabaret a few years ago, there was a group of noisy Russians behind me who were chattering away to each other and on their cellphones during the whole first act.  The actors became so annoyed with them that at the intermission, the theater manager actually came out and asked them to leave the theater.   When they got up, the rest of the audience erupted in applause.  That was probably a lot worse than the occasional burst of applause in the wrong place.

You have a lot of good stories too, like Mike, so maybe we should make a Bunny thread too. that would make good reading material.
I enjoyed reading the above.
And by the way Russians are noisy people, and certainly when they are abroad.

[Harry]

Harry, I though of throwing my playbook but realized that it would make more noise than the snorer. 

Sometimes you have to put up with noisy neighbors, it's just too bad in the theater (movies or play) or the concert hall.  At least there haven't been any cell phones lately.  Nowadays, if your cell phone goes off, you could be facing a lynch mob from the angry audience.

That's true, the people here in Holland are also much irritated if that happens, cellphones ringing!
I would not like to be the one having it in my pocket.

[Dancing Divertimentian]

I dunno. Saving future concert goers the torture of having their chair kicked etc would surely be a good deed 

You may have something there!

[Tom]

I have read all comments to this thread with great interest as I have, in other forums, opined thereon.

I agree with almost all of the comments, which I believe to be (in the main) very reasonable.

The one new point I would make is this. All of us responding (myself included) are now regular concert goers. Once it was our first and, speaking for myself, as a late vocation I was unsure as to etiquette. Did I get any hint of what (not) to do on entering the concert hall...of course not...!

So I say that I agree with everything but would suggest that concert halls announce (as they do for smoking, telephones and emergency exits) that "...many concert goers would prefer if you did not clap between movements..."; or, less obtrusively, a note could be taken up by people on admittance to that effect - always, of course, not preventing anyone from responding with applause to a world-class performance.

Anyone agree?

[MishaK]

So I say that I agree with everything but would suggest that concert halls announce (as they do for smoking, telephones and emergency exits) that "...many concert goers would prefer if you did not clap between movements..."; or, less obtrusively, a note could be taken up by people on admittance to that effect - always, of course, not preventing anyone from responding with applause to a world-class performance.

I disagree with that. If a concert is really electrifying, why shouldn't the audience express its enthusiasm by clapping between movements? It doesn't bother me the least.

[jochanaan]

...The one new point I would make is this. All of us responding (myself included) are now regular concert goers. Once it was our first and, speaking for myself, as a late vocation I was unsure as to etiquette. Did I get any hint of what (not) to do on entering the concert hall...of course not...!

That reminds me of a very clever blurb that used to play in movie theaters.  In the blurb, a young guy is constantly talking during a (supposedly) classic Western, undeterred by others hissing "Do you mind?"  Finally one of the onscreen gunslingers turns to our talker, yells "Hey!" and shoots a tub of popcorn out of the guy's hand. Classic!

[DavidW]

There was no positive option in the poll!

I like clapping between movements and I join in with the rest of the crowd!

The gmg groupthink has declared clapping to be an abomination, well phooey on that!

[MishaK]

There was no positive option in the poll!

I interpreted "amused" as positive.

[DavidW]

I interpreted "amused" as positive.

Well that had a tone of disdain, I was hoping for enthusiastic.

[Bunny]

There was no positive option in the poll!

I like clapping between movements and I join in with the rest of the crowd!

The gmg groupthink has declared clapping to be an abomination, well phooey on that!

I hope your post was meant to be satirical!  Otherwise, don't be surprised when you find yourself pelted with Ricola cough drops or spit balls some evening.

This is not a matter of group think.  Go to any concert, and you won't hear applause between the movements 99% of the time. 

The absence of applause between the movements is a mark of respect for the musicians who don't need to have their concentration broken.  Applause at the wrong time also can prevent others in the audience from hearing the opening bars of the next movement as the orchestra is not going to stop, wait for the applause to end, and take a bow then.  The time for applause is when the work is completed.  Then you and the rest of the audience are free to clap as loud as you wish, standing or sitting.

[jochanaan]

The absence of applause between the movements is a mark of respect for the musicians who don't need to have their concentration broken...

Hmmm...Seems to me it's a little misplaced, then.  I for one like to break my concentration a little in between movements!

[Bunny]

Hmmm...Seems to me it's a little misplaced, then.  I for one like to break my concentration a little in between movements!

Yes, but what about the rest of the musicians and the conductor?  Too many times, there is so little time between the movements and if no one is waiting to take bows and acknowledge applause, the sound can drown out the opening bars of the next movement. 

I think the only appropriate time for applause between the first and second movement might be if you are hearing Mahler's 2nd and the intermission is being taken after the first movement.  Then again, who knows whether the orchestra will linger?  A polite smattering might be in order then.

[knight66]

For a lot of symphonies there is an architectural plan, the conductor is often 'seeing' the final movement right from the opening of the work. Silence is best between movements so that the work can have its accumulative effect.

The silence can be part of the performance, not just a lack of music.

Though; people do not have to be noisy to be antisocial. Recently I watched a whole little block of expensive seats at the Wigmore Hall empty to leave one very smelly individual in soul possession of about £250 worth of seats. One woman spent the first half of the concert with a polo neck pullover pulled up over her nose, and held there. The only time I did have a go at anyone was someone who jiffled constantly and that meant my seat vibrated along with his. I asked him to cut it out, he did, then during the interval moved, presumably so he could continue his St Vitus Dance and annoy someone else.

Mike

[Bunny]

For a lot of symphonies there is an architectural plan, the conductor is often 'seeing' the final movement right from the opening of the work. Silence is best between movements so that the work can have its accumulative effect.

The silence can be part of the performance, not just a lack of music.

Though; people do not have to be noisy to be antisocial. Recently I watched a whole little block of expensive seats at the Wigmore Hall empty to leave one very smelly individual in soul possession of about £250 worth of seats. One woman spent the first half of the concert with a polo neck pullover pulled up over her nose, and held there. The only time I did have a go at anyone was someone who jiffled constantly and that meant my seat vibrated along with his. I asked him to cut it out, he did, then during the interval moved, presumably so he could continue his St Vitus Dance and annoy someone else.

Mike

Distractions seem to exist all over!

the hygienically challenged neighbor has sat next to me too often in the movie theater; or someone (male or female) is wearing an intolerably strong scent.  I can't even begin to talk about the awfulness of the woman who starts spritzing herself with a purse sized spray!  Excusable only when she's sitting next to someone with BO.

And, while we're complaining, let's not forget the fidgeter behind you who can't move without kicking all of the seats in front of him; or who insists on swinging his crossed leg into your chair for minutes at a time. 

AArrrgh!!! I hate them all.

[knight66]

We've got them on our list
We've got them on our list,
And none of them be missed,
No, none of them be missed.

Mike

[Steve]

For a lot of symphonies there is an architectural plan, the conductor is often 'seeing' the final movement right from the opening of the work. Silence is best between movements so that the work can have its accumulative effect.

The silence can be part of the performance, not just a lack of music.

Though; people do not have to be noisy to be antisocial. Recently I watched a whole little block of expensive seats at the Wigmore Hall empty to leave one very smelly individual in soul possession of about £250 worth of seats. One woman spent the first half of the concert with a polo neck pullover pulled up over her nose, and held there. The only time I did have a go at anyone was someone who jiffled constantly and that meant my seat vibrated along with his. I asked him to cut it out, he did, then during the interval moved, presumably so he could continue his St Vitus Dance and annoy someone else.

Mike

I find myself far to accepting of these sorts of social faux pas. Often, I wish that I could muster the strength to tell the person seated behind me that his whispers do not suddenly become inaudible because he leans to his friend seated next to him, or chide the person near me who cannot stay-put in his seat! Thankfully such behavior is generally absent from CSO concerts. When I've shelled out a fair amount to see Haitink, I don't expect to be irritated. Now if I could only get them to get rid of that obnoxious radio personality who comes on briefly before the concert begins to warn us against cellphone use or photography! Ah, such annoyances shall forever abound! 

[Solitary Wanderer]

Distractions seem to exist all over!

the hygienically challenged neighbor has sat next to me too often in the movie theater; or someone (male or female) is wearing an intolerably strong scent.  I can't even begin to talk about the awfulness of the woman who starts spritzing herself with a purse sized spray!  Excusable only when she's sitting next to someone with BO.

And, while we're complaining, let's not forget the fidgeter behind you who can't move without kicking all of the seats in front of him; or who insists on swinging his crossed leg into your chair for minutes at a time. 

AArrrgh!!! I hate them all.

The overuse of perfume can be positively horrid! I'm allergic to chemicals, so these smells I'm particularly sensitive to, so they really get 'up my nose'. Guys heavy handed use of aftershave is also repulsive; do they really think the babes will go for that?

Yep, fidgeters can be irritating too, especially if they are seated behind you and knock your seat. At a recent concert, Mahler #5, there was a women near me with noisey material on her dress so her constant moving around was distracting.

What about the old ladies with their noisey lollie wrappers?!