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?

[woofgang]

ermmm sit and listen.

[jno]

try not to cough. If you're worried about when to clap, wait till every else does.

[plowter]

Thanks, wolf. Not really helpful.

At a recital I presume you can't sing, can't dance. What can you do? (sounds like a song).

Do you stare at the conductor, the second buffoon, or whatever? Do you stare at your shoes and just clap when the music stops.

Sherious question. Can any cultured ABers advise?

[boxtops]

Woof's correct, plowter. You just sit with everyone else, and listen. You can stare at what you like while the music's playing, as long as you don't hum along.

[jno]

woofgang's right, sitting and listening is what it's all about. Why not look at the musicians? Each one is contributing something. But if you like you can concentrate on just listening. Every recital is different - even if the same musicians played exactly the same music the night before, it will be different, so it's not like a recording, where each sound is fixed for all time.

[gingejbee]

...and remember to turn any mobile phones OFF before it starts!

[marval]

I would look at the orchestra, and sometimes the conductor. Just sit and enjoy the music, applauding is done at the end of a piece.

Have a look at this for ideas.

http://www.naxos.com/education/enjoy2_concertmanners.asp

[plowter]

Thanks jno and marval
Would love to hear The Sixteen in Edinburgh in August.
Your suggestions might sound obvious to regular concert go-ers.
It's like the 'dont know where to put my hands' problem.
I'm a philistine - never been to nufink posh before.

[marval]

I would love to hear The Sixteen as well.

[seadogg]

Listening to classical music 'aint posh. A new generation came in after the war who didn't go to concerts because it was a smart thing to do. Those of us who filled the prom area at the Albert hall or haunted the "gods" at Covent Garden had little cash in our denims.

[FrogNog]

My partner and I recently sat as the only members of the audience listening to a small orchestra rehearse for that evening's recital in Ripon Cathedral. We just happened to be in there at the time and listened for nearly an hour.
It was just beautiful and all I could do was to listen. Nothing else entered my mind and I didn't think about my behaviour.

[marval]

Lucky you FrogNog

[Svejk]

I like to follow the sheet music, doncha know.

[seadogg]

Doncha mean the score, old man.

[shoota]

I like to ogle the ladeez in their evening frocks....

'Specially the lady cellists.

[askyourgran]

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. I usually develop one of those tickly coughs that make you go red in the face...

[DTCwordfan]

Don't shout out, "you're playing the right notes - but not in the right order."

[Svejk]

same thing, I believe.

[seadogg]

To whom the great conductor Sir Thomas Beecham once remarked, "You sit there with that wonderful instrument between your legs and all you do is scratch it".

[ladybirder]

I like to check out the men's socks, no idea why.
Plowter it really isn't posh, honestly. Just go with the flow and enjoy. Just ordinary folk who like classical and could well be at a pop concert the following week.