What To Do At Classical Music Recital?

[plowter]

Watching Proms on BBC Four (St John Passion).
Like listening to this at home - in background.
Would love to hear this live but don't know what to do!
What are you supposed to do at a classical music recital?

[jeffa]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=453M9_8t5a0

[shoota]

Well, if you have an itch..... ;-)

[plowter]

Thanks seadogg.

Don't want this to sound like class war!

Simply a genuine question expressing concern for how a pleb can enjoy classical music as much as the punters wot do it every week.

Think askyourgran describes the problem with precision:

'You sit with hands folded in your lap and try to look intelligent as if you know every note, toe tapping is considered a bit naff.'

Might give it a miss.

[FrogNog]

But askyourgran is wrong plowter and was probably joking anyway.
Go. You'll love it.

[shoota]

Give it a go plowter - honest, if you choose the right stuff it's fantastic!


As for them cellists.....

[FrogNog]

Yes Marval, we were very lucky. At one point we stood up and wandered around and realised we were walking THROUGH the church organ that was being played at the time.

[marval]

I would have loved that FrogNog, You should give it a go plowter, they are not as high brow as they used to be.

[jomifl]

Just close your eyes and listen, looking at anything (including the score :o)) is just a distraction.

[shoota]

Summat like this..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fCSQd8Nx4mI

[murraymints]

I just sit back ..close my eyes and drift along with it....try not to get too relaxed and sleep though !!

[marval]

That is lovely shoota.

[Ric.ror]

When leaving say something like - do you think the second violin was slightly to fast/slow/off key
I don't have an idea either but it sounds good

[murraymints]

[askyourgran]

Askyourgran.... wrong???? I have attended concerts, in said manner......Plowter if you really like classical music please go to a live concert, you may, as FrogNog says, be transported by the music (and not think of the undignified sight of a lady cellist sawing away at a piece of wood between her legs or the colour of the first violin's socks). Ripon Cathedral is beautiful and the acoustics there are good if you ever have the luck to be there as FrogNog was it will be enjoyable. Not quite the same as a small quintet.

[seadogg]

It can influence you though. After a Wagner concert at the Royal festival Hall including parts of the great love music "Tristan and Isolde", I proposed marriage. Good old Richard Wagner!

[shoota]

Lol Ric.
"I thought that (insert name of conductor)'s tempi were a little mannered" is a good candidate for pseud's corner...

[shoota]

It is marvel, moves me much....

[seadogg]

"small quintet" ayg? A top line string quintet makes an awesome sound. Who could not love Schubert's "Trout Quintet"

[FrogNog]

Askyourgran, I have to wonder why you go to these events if you don't seem to enjoy the experience instead of wondering what the etiquette is.
Apart from interrupting, I don't believe there is an etiquette to follow. To be frank, I think if a person is worried whether another audience member is tapping their foot or not, if the percussionist has a mohican or if the conductor is dressed in an Iron Man suit, it makes them a snob and therefore their opinions are not worth my consideration.