Audience lack of courtesy/respect

[suzyq]

This past Friday I attended a matinee performance New York Philharmonic at Avery Fischer Hall.

Radu Lupu performed Schman's Piano Concerto in A minor.  When he finished playing he stood along with the orchestra and some members of the audience got up and started to leave.  This was just before the intermission.  I couldn't help but wonder how the musicians who made such beautiful music felt.  This was an older audience who should have known better. They did return for the Bruckner Symphony No.6 A Major.

As a side-light, while Radu Lupu played well, I felt there was something lacking, I really don't know what it was, could be that I've heard this piece played with more feeling.  Anyway back to the topic - the same thing happened at the end of the Bruckner piece.

It seems to me that people can wait till the performer and conductor leave the stage and the musicians follow - it dosen't happen  at evening performances, at least the few that I've attended.

Guess courtesy and respect are a rare commodity these days.

[greg]

maybe the old folks have blatter control problems?

[suzyq]

maybe the old folks have blatter control problems?

Funny that you wrote that, someone sitting next to me said the lines to the rest rooms are long.

Still, can't imagine how the musicians felt.

[Morigan]

I always find the audiences really noisy and sometimes disrespectful. There are some people who don't even applaud at all, some who leave in the middle of a performance, and of course those who keep talking throughout. They seem to believe that their whistling whispers are unhead by the people around them, but they're actually more annoying than actual speech.

[paulb]

This past Friday I attended a matinee performance New York Philharmonic at Avery Fischer Hall.

Radu Lupu performed Schman's Piano Concerto in A minor.  When he finished playing he stood along with the orchestra and some members of the audience got up and started to leave.  This was just before the intermission.  I couldn't help but wonder how the musicians who made such beautiful music felt.  This was an older audience who should have known better. They did return for the Bruckner Symphony No.6 A Major.

I'm not surprised. First of all the audience realized, "why are we even here? we have this concerto in much much better form at home in our cd collection?" They want either to hear a  great performance of a  old dusty standard, or they would prefer late 20th C materpieces.
"older" like 50-60?
This is the generation that is making a  re-awaking as to what they really want programmed. Which is  20th C masterpieces.
NYC did give a all Carter concert series, which Joe and Bruce is currectly attending, but the shows only seat 1000 lucky fans.
NYC is so conservative, Its Verdi, Beethoven and Schumann on the  main agenda. Stuff we all have at home by the dozens  and in better performances.
If you think this walking off at the very end was too rude , just wait to see what happens in yrs to come.
I'm not saying tomatoes will be flying, but do expect people chatting in boisterous joking conversations, just as the  music has just gotten to be too boorish and loathsome to take any longer.
They'll be walking away and cutting up right in the middle of the piece.
You just watch.
I knew these things would occur, i said it yrs ago. No one believed me.  Well now you see its happening right in front your eyes.
So what are you going to do about the situation? call the social etiquitte cops on us..

[anasazi]

I'm not at all sure that suzyq deserved to called a 'dolt' for the question asked.  Isn't that just a little bit harsh?  I guess we all make assumptions about other people, often silly ones, but for those (including the original poster) you of course realize that this behaviour (audiences being rude) is not, shall we say, a new thing? There are for sure a certain percentage of any audience that will always head for the exits.  And the rush hour in NYC does make sense.  Iago, maybe your post could have been a little less harsh on the questioner however?

I can still remember attending an annual music school performance of Parsifal.  It began just before the dinner hour and was scheduled to have a dinner break after act I.  Man, you could not believe how long act I is though.  Neither could much of the audience.  Talk about leaving quickly. 

[suzyq]

Schuman was the first part of the program - when Lupu finished playing and he and the muscians of the orchestra stood up,  some people left - then intermission.  So I doubt people were leaving to go home.

They did return for the second half - Bruckner - at the end of the program the same thing happened, in this case I guess as was pointed out people were leaving to get home.

Still in either case couretsy to the performers is due - they played the music - they didn't program what would be played.  I agree with Anasazi, I've heard music that I've liked a good deal better.

PS:  I am a New Yorker and am well-aware of traveling to and from Lincoln Center. Years ago I had subscriptions to American Ballet Theatre among other companies - it was a good deal cheaper then - and I lived in Richmond Hill (Queens) at the time.  If I had to leave it was only after the final curtain came down. 

[gmstudio]

You are aware that 'back in the day' audiences would boo, hiss and otherwise make their displeasures known WHILE the pieces were being performed, right?

So they got up after the music stopped, big deal.  I'm not worried about how that makes the musicians "feel."  They're there to make ME feel something. Besides, they don't care if you get up and leave after the first movement of even a short Haydn symphony. They're still getting union wages and raking in 6 figures/year regardless of how quickly the audience bolts for the loo.

And, yes, the restrooms at Avery Fisher DO have long lines at intermission.

[Anne]

And, yes, the restrooms at Avery Fisher DO have long lines at intermission.

I've been reading about the lack of sufficient restrooms at Avery Fisher Hall since 1997 when I first started reading BB's on the Internet.  As I recall, the major problem was the lack of facilities for the ladies.   By now they should have built some additional restrooms.

[(poco) Sforzando]

By now they should have built some additional restrooms.

Apparently they've had higher priorities.

[Anne]

   Apparently!

[Siedler]

I heard Schumann's PC last year in concert and didn't like it either...I didn't leave and just applauded as usual. The pianist was Helene Grimaud. Perhaps I should revisit the concerto now but I'm not in any rush as there are lots of other works which appeals me instantly...

[Don]

I'm not surprised. First of all the audience realized, "why are we even here? we have this concerto in much much better form at home in our cd collection?" They want either to hear a  great performance of a  old dusty standard, or they would prefer late 20th C materpieces.

You might be projecting your preferences on to the general audience population.  I own dozens of recordings of the Schumann piano concerto, but have never heard it in concert.  I'd like to do that some day, and I wouldn't be insisting on a performance that's at the top of the mountain.  A good performance would be fine.

[paulb]

I heard Schumann's PC last year in concert and didn't like it either...I didn't leave and just applauded as usual. The pianist was Helene Grimaud. Perhaps I should revisit the concerto now but I'm not in any rush as there are lots of other works which appeals me instantly...

Thanks for this sense of honesty. I couldn't agree more. OK on cd, but live concert?  Much more interesting, instantly gratifying works to be heard.
I would not have applauded. But left at the last note, or before, depending on how much courage, and/or disgust  i had at that particular moment.

[andy]

I've often felt that a conductor or soloist was "milking" the audience for more applause, long after it was due. The piece is over, everyone applauds... the conductor walks off the stage, walks back on, people should still be applauding, the orchestra stands, still more applause, the orchestra sits, soloists or even just members with important parts stand, while the audience is still expected to applaud. Seriously, haven't we shown the proper amount of respect after a minute of clapping?`

[toledobass]

Besides, they don't care if you get up and leave after the first movement of even a short Haydn symphony. They're still getting union wages and raking in 6 figures/year regardless of how quickly the audience bolts for the loo.

Where exactly did you get this idea from?  I don't know many orchestral musicians who would agree with you here.

Allan

[paulb]

  Seriously, haven't we shown the proper amount of respect after a minute of clapping?`

Depends on the work/composer. For Elliott Carter, only  one minute of applause shows the audience did not grasp the significance of the work.. For an old standard out the romantic era, one minute clapping is way too extended and over  generous.

[andy]

Depends on the work/composer. For Elliott Carter, only  one minute of applause shows the audience did not grasp the significance of the work.. For an old standard out the romantic era, one minute clapping is way too extended and over  generous.

Hahaha I'm in total agreement. I guess I should rephrase this: "For a trite romantic piece, with a mediocre performance, isn't one minute of clapping enough?"

[Don]

Thanks for this sense of honesty. I couldn't agree more. OK on cd, but live concert?  Much more interesting, instantly gratifying works to be heard.
I would not have applauded. But left at the last note, or before, depending on how much courage, and/or disgust  i had at that particular moment.

Sounds like you would have been better off not going at all. 

[(poco) Sforzando]

Thanks for this sense of honesty. I couldn't agree more. OK on cd, but live concert?  Much more interesting, instantly gratifying works to be heard.
I would not have applauded. But left at the last note, or before, depending on how much courage, and/or disgust  i had at that particular moment.

Be careful not to step on the feet of the audience members who prefer to remain in their seats listening. They might not appreciate your courage and/or disgust.