How should I introduce my recital?

[illusionary]

Having my first proper recital in a week's time and I'm wondering what I should say before I start playing.

The programme notes are pretty full-on so I'm not going to talk between each individual piece. I was thinking to just do a general welcome at the very beginning.

So far I've got: "Good evening ladies and gentlemen, thank you all for coming out tonight..." and yeah that's it ....  :/

Any help is much appreciated!

[michael_c]

No matter how complete the programme notes are, it doesn't hurt to give a very short presentation of the piece, or the composer. Not everyone reads the programme. You might also say something personal: why you chose this particular piece, for instance.

It's really up to you: some people find it reassuring to first create a contact with the audience by talking to them directly, others find that this makes them more nervous and prefer just launching into playing. I think both approaches are fine.

Whatever you decide to say, rehearse it first!

[j_menz]

IMO, it depends a rather a lot on how comfortable you are talking to an audience.  Apparently some people fear death less. Some people are born to it and most fall somewhere in-between.

It is perfectly acceptable (exams aside) to say nothing and just play. Do that if the thought of speaking terrifies you. otherwise,  say as little or as much as you are comfortable with - and make it interesting and additional to the notes. In the extreme, though, remember they've come for a concert - not a lecture.

[visitor]

+1 to both above.

I would say the more formal the recital (ie for degree, diploma, etc) i would skip commentary.  if more laid back and routine performance ok to speak on, but i would only do so if you offer something really juice or if the pieces or composer is not well know or you have a personal anecdote or connection to the work.

master class scenario is ok to speak before as well. i was asked by a clinician to give some remarks before playing a work the clinician and other class attendees and audience were unfamiliar with once, so that's groovy to i suppose

[rachmaninoff_forever]

Totally go for it!  Make a few knock knock jokes!  Maybe a punny composer joke or two?

It'll make light of everything and you won't be as nervous

[dcstudio]

I usually talk about the connection I have to the piece... why I am performing it...  sometimes it's humorous other times it's not..  

irregardless... the most important thing if you decide to speak is to keep it short and sweet.  Don't have the audience tuning you out before you even start playing.  Sometimes it's easy to just start rambling up there on stage and before you know it people are shifting around and looking away.   It's very difficult to get their attention again after this happens.   I know lol

I like your original line--maybe add

"tonight  you will hear the culmination of a lifetime spent learning how to play this amazing music on this amazing instrument.   I hope you will enjoy hearing these pieces as much as I enjoy playing them. (maybe work in a thanks to your teacher here) Please silence you cell phones and thank you again."

Smile and give a quick shallow bow then while they are clapping go and sit down--when the room is silent--count to 10 in your head then take a long leisurely breath.. ( If I am nervous I silently slowly recite a poem in my head instead of counting )

there once was a lady from Eeling
who had a peculiar feeling
she lay on her back and opened the crack
then pissed all over the ceiling

the worse the nerves the nastier the limerick...lol.  It works.   try it.

 




you can always put notes in the program and say nothing--don't feel obligated to speak..   If you start stammering it may be much harder to focus on playing.  

[michael_sayers]

You can talk about the occasion by saying that you are happy they are there for your first recital and that you hope they enjoy it . . .


Mvh,
Michael