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To clap or not to clap? To clap or not to clap?
(41 minutes later)
It's the first full week of the Proms and many people will be having an introduction to classical music that may lead to a concert or two. But, as a recent row over when it is appropriate to clap shows, there's a whole lot of etiquette you might want to learn. It's the first week of the Proms, an annual summer season of orchestral concerts in London, and many people will be having an introduction to classical music. But there's a whole lot of etiquette to be learned.
There are few things more acutely embarrassing than realising you are the only person making a noise in a crowded room.There are few things more acutely embarrassing than realising you are the only person making a noise in a crowded room.
But the world of classical music regularly presents just such a horrific scenario to the uninitiated attendee.But the world of classical music regularly presents just such a horrific scenario to the uninitiated attendee.
It's not pop music, it's not about waving your lighter around - there is no physical participation for the audience Jonathan LennieIt's not pop music, it's not about waving your lighter around - there is no physical participation for the audience Jonathan Lennie
At a rock concert it is considered acceptable to applaud like a maniac, whoop, holler, punch the air, and even shout "rock 'n' roll" at the end of every song, should you see fit.At a rock concert it is considered acceptable to applaud like a maniac, whoop, holler, punch the air, and even shout "rock 'n' roll" at the end of every song, should you see fit.
But this is not the case in the world of classical music. You will find aficionados who sneer at "those people who clap after every movement".But this is not the case in the world of classical music. You will find aficionados who sneer at "those people who clap after every movement".
And the Time Out listing magazine's classical editor Jonathan Lennie has caused a minor kerfuffle in this rarefied world by going one step further and criticising those people who clap the microsecond a concert is over.And the Time Out listing magazine's classical editor Jonathan Lennie has caused a minor kerfuffle in this rarefied world by going one step further and criticising those people who clap the microsecond a concert is over.
Annoying phenomenonAnnoying phenomenon
It is a phenomenon that was satirised in the 2005 short film The Clap. An obsessive classical music fan recalls the lengths he used to go to, studying scores and previous performances, to identify the precise millisecond the concert was over, so he could be the first to clap. Like a maniac.It is a phenomenon that was satirised in the 2005 short film The Clap. An obsessive classical music fan recalls the lengths he used to go to, studying scores and previous performances, to identify the precise millisecond the concert was over, so he could be the first to clap. Like a maniac.
The protagonist's real-life counterparts are apparently a regular and annoying phenomenon.The protagonist's real-life counterparts are apparently a regular and annoying phenomenon.
They want your applause. In the right placesThey want your applause. In the right places
In an open letter to the "Loud Clapping Man Who Sits Behind Me At Concerts", Lennie wrote: "Having sat through a long and profound work, why do you have to start making a racket as soon as you perceive it to be over?"In an open letter to the "Loud Clapping Man Who Sits Behind Me At Concerts", Lennie wrote: "Having sat through a long and profound work, why do you have to start making a racket as soon as you perceive it to be over?"
He insists that for some sombre pieces, a period of dignified silence after the last note is played is essential to appreciation.He insists that for some sombre pieces, a period of dignified silence after the last note is played is essential to appreciation.
"The last note isn't the end of the music, the silence completes the music. In Beethoven's 9th, a massive choral outpouring, you can't help but clap, but in other works like Mahler 9 these are the final symphonies, the end of the life. They end in silence.""The last note isn't the end of the music, the silence completes the music. In Beethoven's 9th, a massive choral outpouring, you can't help but clap, but in other works like Mahler 9 these are the final symphonies, the end of the life. They end in silence."
Take Schubert's bleak song cycle Winterreise. You should apparently not be yelling "bravo" between the songs, or going bananas at the end. Lennie has some advice on what you should do.Take Schubert's bleak song cycle Winterreise. You should apparently not be yelling "bravo" between the songs, or going bananas at the end. Lennie has some advice on what you should do.
"[Leave] a few seconds to let the music die away and a moment to recognise what Schubert has achieved in setting out this existential bleakness. And then applaud the performer.""[Leave] a few seconds to let the music die away and a moment to recognise what Schubert has achieved in setting out this existential bleakness. And then applaud the performer."
BASIC ETIQUETTE People don't normally clap between movementsIf everybody else is clapping, you probably canSwitch off mobile phoneNo food in the auditoriumAvoid hacking cough during quiet bitsBASIC ETIQUETTE People don't normally clap between movementsIf everybody else is clapping, you probably canSwitch off mobile phoneNo food in the auditoriumAvoid hacking cough during quiet bits
Lennie emphasises that he was not referring to the Proms audience - who are very knowledgeable - when he wrote his open letter.Lennie emphasises that he was not referring to the Proms audience - who are very knowledgeable - when he wrote his open letter.
But he has identified a problem in the wider world that is having a malign influence on the classical music world.But he has identified a problem in the wider world that is having a malign influence on the classical music world.
"Everybody seems to be texting and tweeting and nobody seems to spend any time in contemplation. It's not pop music. It's not about waving your lighter around. There is no physical participation for the audience. It is a quiet involvement. One or two people clapping can spoil it for everyone.""Everybody seems to be texting and tweeting and nobody seems to spend any time in contemplation. It's not pop music. It's not about waving your lighter around. There is no physical participation for the audience. It is a quiet involvement. One or two people clapping can spoil it for everyone."
He does acknowledge that there are occasions when you can clap whenever you want.He does acknowledge that there are occasions when you can clap whenever you want.
"Clapping in between the movements was common in Beethoven's day - it isn't a religious service.""Clapping in between the movements was common in Beethoven's day - it isn't a religious service."
Immediate appreciationImmediate appreciation
And how do the performers feel about people not clapping, either between movements or at the end?And how do the performers feel about people not clapping, either between movements or at the end?
Georgia Browne, a historical flute specialist who has played with the Academy of Ancient Music and the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, concedes that there are certain serious pieces where salvos of ill-timed applause are inappropriate.Georgia Browne, a historical flute specialist who has played with the Academy of Ancient Music and the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, concedes that there are certain serious pieces where salvos of ill-timed applause are inappropriate.
Some people find classical concerts a little intimidatingSome people find classical concerts a little intimidating
"[But] as a performer I'm in favour of an audience showing their appreciation immediately. It's quite delightful to have that.""[But] as a performer I'm in favour of an audience showing their appreciation immediately. It's quite delightful to have that."
And, she suggests, the whole taboo about clapping in between the movements is a recent development.And, she suggests, the whole taboo about clapping in between the movements is a recent development.
"I'm a specialist in 18th and 19th Century music. It was customary to not only applaud but to stop and do other things between movements in concerts."I'm a specialist in 18th and 19th Century music. It was customary to not only applaud but to stop and do other things between movements in concerts.
"At the premieres of Haydn and Beethoven they would do two movements and then have a ballet or a singer. Often they would have refreshments. And they didn't listen to everything in complete silence.""At the premieres of Haydn and Beethoven they would do two movements and then have a ballet or a singer. Often they would have refreshments. And they didn't listen to everything in complete silence."
Martin Cullingford, deputy editor of Gramophone magazine, also admits things have changed.Martin Cullingford, deputy editor of Gramophone magazine, also admits things have changed.
"Up until the beginning of the 20th Century applause between movements was normal. Mozart certainly appreciated it. That changed - now it's not the thing that's expected to happen. When people do it's always slightly embarrassing.""Up until the beginning of the 20th Century applause between movements was normal. Mozart certainly appreciated it. That changed - now it's not the thing that's expected to happen. When people do it's always slightly embarrassing."
The Proms is the gateway for many to a new worldThe Proms is the gateway for many to a new world
There are of course times when it is OK to go mad at the end of a movement.There are of course times when it is OK to go mad at the end of a movement.
"[In] the Rachmaninov second piano concerto, there is such a flash it feels unnatural not to clap," says Cullingford."[In] the Rachmaninov second piano concerto, there is such a flash it feels unnatural not to clap," says Cullingford.
"The best advice is not to clap unless there is spontaneous uproarious applause, in which case it is safe to do so.""The best advice is not to clap unless there is spontaneous uproarious applause, in which case it is safe to do so."
Apart from clapping, classical music newcomers may worry over what to wear. Do people wear black tie?Apart from clapping, classical music newcomers may worry over what to wear. Do people wear black tie?
"The last thing you want to do is to reinforce this totally wrong view that there are strict rules if you are attending a classical concert," says Cullingford."The last thing you want to do is to reinforce this totally wrong view that there are strict rules if you are attending a classical concert," says Cullingford.
"In Covent Garden [the Royal Opera House in London] you would find people [in the audience] were dressing quite formally. But you hardly ever see people in evening wear. At the Royal Festival Hall [on London's South Bank] it's more relaxed - people wearing jeans.""In Covent Garden [the Royal Opera House in London] you would find people [in the audience] were dressing quite formally. But you hardly ever see people in evening wear. At the Royal Festival Hall [on London's South Bank] it's more relaxed - people wearing jeans."
The premiere of Stravinsky's Rites of Spring ended in a riot, so applause wouldn't have bothered himThe premiere of Stravinsky's Rites of Spring ended in a riot, so applause wouldn't have bothered him
In concert halls outside London, it also might be common to see some people dressed formally, says Ms Browne.In concert halls outside London, it also might be common to see some people dressed formally, says Ms Browne.
But for all the controversy about clapping and the confusion that some novices might have over what to wear, there is one faux pas of epic proportions - the rogue mobile. If Schubert's Winterreise can be spoiled by inappropriate clapping, think what happens if your phone starts playing the Crazy Frog tune in a quiet bit.But for all the controversy about clapping and the confusion that some novices might have over what to wear, there is one faux pas of epic proportions - the rogue mobile. If Schubert's Winterreise can be spoiled by inappropriate clapping, think what happens if your phone starts playing the Crazy Frog tune in a quiet bit.
"That's happened plenty of times. It is a direct insult," says Ms Browne."That's happened plenty of times. It is a direct insult," says Ms Browne.
And trailing in a close second is people who have chosen to attend despite having a hacking and uncontrollable cough. Or people whose garrulousness cannot be tamed even for a couple of hours.And trailing in a close second is people who have chosen to attend despite having a hacking and uncontrollable cough. Or people whose garrulousness cannot be tamed even for a couple of hours.
"You need to have a foundation of silence. Coughing in quiet bits is just so rough. And talking during the playing, that's just not on.""You need to have a foundation of silence. Coughing in quiet bits is just so rough. And talking during the playing, that's just not on."
In short, going to a concert is a bit like going to the cinema. An ordinary experience, but with some basic etiquette rules. And the uninitiated should always keep in mind that the aficionados are apparently very keen to make them very welcome.In short, going to a concert is a bit like going to the cinema. An ordinary experience, but with some basic etiquette rules. And the uninitiated should always keep in mind that the aficionados are apparently very keen to make them very welcome.
As long as their mobile is off.As long as their mobile is off.


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