Interesting audience

[pizno]

I did a recital with 2 other people recently in a retirement center - one with a gorgeous performance hall and piano.  The audience consisted of both residents and guests from the community.

I was page turning for my friend who was playing Beethoven Opus 10 # 3 Sonata.  During the slow movement, someone in the front row let out an excrutiatingly loud, drawn out yawn.  A moment later, someone else said loudly to a nieghbor: I don't like this music! 

 My friend kept her concentration somehow, and did a fine performance.  Can you imagine if someone took it a step further and said ' I don't think she's a very good pianist'.  It could happen!

Pizno

[bench warmer]

That's why I never go on stage without my Taser. Not only does it immediately de-commision the offender but also gets  the rest of the audience in the proper frame of mind. One way or another you get respect. 

[pizno]

Ha ha!  Thanks for making me laugh.  Next time, for sure.  It reminds me of bugs bunny shooting the audience member for coughing.

Piz

[m1469]

Well, actually I overheard very similar comments at a retirement facility not too long ago.  A number of students from a University were playing and I was there in the audience just to watch.  A girl played a Ravel piece (quite well, I might add) that I consider to be extremely beautiful, very picturesque, and part way through these women start chatting.  One says to the other : "well this sure is a boring piece, isn't it ?" -- they just completely didn't get it. 

Also, as there were some students performing who were not quite as advanced as some of the others, during one person's performance these same women were commenting that this particular performer was "not very good" !

HA !  I was actually quite surprised by these comments and of course think it was "rude" of the audience members.  But, you know ?  I was also grateful to overhear these comments.  It gave me a much greater insight into what some people are actually thinking when somebody is sitting up there onstage, putting themself out there and playing music that is not big and flashy.    It showed me that there truly are some people who come to hear certain things... and if they don't hear that thing, they think it wasn't any good (even when it actually is good). 

Somehow it was a relief of sorts to me, because now instead of fighting mere voices in my head telling me that people might be thinking such and such a thing... I know that there is a very good chance that people are indeed thinking (and even saying) such a thing !  But, when I actually heard it come out of their mouth, I only heard ignorance, it wasn't discouraging or frightening to me.  At the same time, it makes me want to convert people like this and help them see a broader view of the art... I guess you could say that I felt some sort of compassion for them.


m1469

[franz_]

***, how unrespectfull can you be... Do those people forget you studied for months to get this concert so good as possible?
Want to hear a reaction of koji, who gives a lot of concerts.

[henrah]

Those old people should be slapped upside their head.


How can they be so rude as to blurt out something like that whilst someone is playing, and not have the courteousy to wait till after they've finished! OR EVEN WHISPER IT!!!



Where was this retirement home that they played in? Thankfully in Chipping Campden where my grandparents live, the vast amount of elderly their are incredibly polite, and even try to condense their sneezes to inner explosions.

Maybe those old people in the audience were old chavs...

[m1469]

hee hee... well, at least they didn't throw anything  .

You know, I feel like hearing comments like this better defines what a person's business is when they step onstage. 

[kitty on the keys]

Pizno and friends, I have played in many retirement dwellings. You want to remenber that you are there to provide a great community service to people who have no contact with family of friends, miss the music they used to make, ect. So try not to take it to heart when opinions are raised in the middle of a slow piece or any place during the concert. They just say what pops into their head at the moment and out it comes. Don't worry about it. Think of the people you made happy for sharing your music. Sometimes a little creative programing will help. toss in some show tunes for a short sing-a-long. They will appreciate that too. Remember, that you are not in your usual performing area. Just play, let those who enjoy it, lavish you with praise, and those who make the comments about not liking this, or she was bad, blow it off. It's not worth the effort to get upset about it. You brought some joy and happiness to some people, enjoy that.

kitty

[drjames]

Empathy is the ability to feel someone else's pain.  Place yourself in their position.  Residents of nursing homes don't really want to be there.  Furthermore, many of them are there to stay until they die and they know it.  My suggestion is if you are going to play in a nursing home, play happy stuff and keep it short.  I just have this feeling that your effort will be greatly appreciated. Jim.

[henrah]

James? Jim? James, Jim? Jammy Jim-Bob Joojoo?


It's madness I tell you, MAAADNESS!!!

[drjames]

That was the first time I have ended a post with Jim instead of James.  My middle name is Robert so I have frequently been called Jim Bob (among other things).  Good eye henrah. I guess you're not ready for the nursing home. (Just trying to stay on topic.) James

[jehangircama]

henrah, your grandparents live in Chipping Camden? my God, i was there just about15 days back visiting an old friend of my mother. its one of the most beautiful places in the entire world!! its absolutely gorgeous. you're very lucky you can go there regularly. its got such a friendly welcoming atmosphere, and a lovely church and the best prices you can get for chocolates all over europe! i got a lovely print of the church as well.

[henrah]

henrah, your grandparents live in Chipping Camden? my God, i was there just about15 days back visiting an old friend of my mother. its one of the most beautiful places in the entire world!! its absolutely gorgeous. you're very lucky you can go there regularly. its got such a friendly welcoming atmosphere, and a lovely church and the best prices you can get for chocolates all over europe! i got a lovely print of the church as well.

Isn't it just? But I think they've ruined the entrance path to the church by chopping off the branches of the trees. They looked so beautiful when they were in full bloom - they even had some fairy lights in them, and they made them look so lovely! It made me think of a jungle, randomly...

The church is lovely, but the pues are so uncomfortable! Even with cushions, my arse goes numb. It's a very odd sensation, walking with a numb bumb ehehe

Where are you from? You saying 'all over europe' makes me think that you're foreign...

[pizno]

Oh, I wasn't insulted at all - of course, I had already played and was now turning pages - but I happen to love this population of retired folks and find it quite entertaining - it sure takes the edge off!  What can you do what laugh.  I still like the taser line though.  I'm going to use that myself.  Thanks.

Piz

[Waldszenen]

I find that really rude, and especially disrespectful to the musician. If I was playing onstage for an audience like that, I'd simply stop, give the smallest bow, and walk out.

[jehangircama]

yes, i'm from delhi, india. but mum and her parents lived in england for some time so she came to know it pretty well. she stayed in chipping camden for some time as well, so she knows the place. the antique shop there was also interesting, and the hidcote gardens close by were fabulous.

[donjuan]

I did a recital with 2 other people recently in a retirement center - one with a gorgeous performance hall and piano.  The audience consisted of both residents and guests from the community.

I was page turning for my friend who was playing Beethoven Opus 10 # 3 Sonata.  During the slow movement, someone in the front row let out an excrutiatingly loud, drawn out yawn.  A moment later, someone else said loudly to a nieghbor: I don't like this music! 

 My friend kept her concentration somehow, and did a fine performance.  Can you imagine if someone took it a step further and said ' I don't think she's a very good pianist'.  It could happen!

Pizno

ahahahahahahahahaha

I guess Matlock was on, and they were missing it

[pianistimo]

that's funny but partly a reality.  when my husband and i did a concert they rang a bell immediately as we were finished and announced over the loudspeaker it was bingo time.  what a way to end a concert.  oh well,  as someone else said - the ones that like it stay and talk - and we enjoyed meeting some people.  the ones that appreciate it always tell you afterwards.

they seemed to yawn during my piano pieces and perk up when my husband sang (how depressing is that?)  although the piano wasn't that great either (not another one of those 'blame it on your instrument jokes'  ok)  anyway-- i don't think older people are much into classical piano.  i know my grandmother listened to piano concerts out of politeness - but her thing was crossword puzzles, chatting with her friends, having someone come and talk to her, and going out.  OUT of the complex and then returning. 

maybe their 'dream' concert is to have a good looking man play.  i think that's what they like (most old people are women).  if i had been a man - everything would have been hunky dory.  the rapt attention to my husband was a clue that they were obviously siding with him.  he sings - everyone's silent.  i start playing - talking, fiddling, moving wheelchairs about.  he starts singing again.  quiet.  they like the old time songs (some of which he was singing) - and things they've heard and are familiar with.

[thracozaag]

***, how unrespectfull can you be... Do those people forget you studied for months to get this concert so good as possible?
Want to hear a reaction of koji, who gives a lot of concerts.

  My all-time favorite was an old man who, in that stage whisper that somehow carries througout the entire hall, leans over to his wife (this is in the middle of me playing, mind you) and hisses:

"Jesus CHRIST!!! Doesn't this kid play anything NORMAL?"

  I've also had cell phones go off on two separate occasions prior to beginning a piece, but got my revenge by playing back their ringtone for them on stage.

koji

[henrah]

I've also had cell phones go off on two separate occasions prior to beginning a piece, but got my revenge by playing back their ringtone for them on stage.

hahaha, class act koji, that would've embarrased them for sure

[whynot]

I like the idea of playing back the ring tone! 

I have also been on the receiving end of loud, inappropriate comments in retirement homes.  I think this is common, and I recently read why that might be.  Evidently, one of the physical changes in the brain that commonly occurs in old age is loss of inhibitions, and this loss is quite marked in many people.  Well, it seems like this could be somewhat psychological too:  a feeling of, "What the heck, I'm eighty, I'm going to say what I think."  But my reading attributed this to actual changes in the brain.  That doesn't make it completely better, but for me, it takes some of the sting out of these remarks.  Some of it!     

[pizno]

To sing the praises of this retirement center - the performance hall is in an addition build onto the center 2 years ago, and it is lovely.  It is free to use, and hosts all sorts of University music students who are doing a 'practice performance' before their real thing, as well as performers who are in town to do very big shows and want to do a small venue as well.  I can do recitals there (usually shared)  by just calling up and reserving the place.  The bulk of the audience is appreciative and non critical, and the community also is invited.  It is a wonderful opportunity for both performers and residents.  The best is that they have a new 7 foot Shigeru Kawaii, which is very lovely to play.  So I am willing to put up with a few odd noises and comments coming from the audience!  Usually they are enthusiastic and say very nice things afterwards.

Piz

[walking_encyclopedia]

  My all-time favorite was an old man who, in that stage whisper that somehow carries througout the entire hall, leans over to his wife (this is in the middle of me playing, mind you) and hisses:

"Jesus CHRIST!!! Doesn't this kid play anything NORMAL?"

  I've also had cell phones go off on two separate occasions prior to beginning a piece, but got my revenge by playing back their ringtone for them on stage.

koji

lol that is a great story.