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Thank you BruceD, you're right. It is very rare to have a formal classical concert here, it's the only thing that I feel pity for staying this country. Three places I must go in the future: Australia, USA, and Vienna - to see a real concert

I was at the last world piano pedagogy conference where I attended a dual piano recital given by Anne Schein and Luiz de Moura Castro. I think it was during Anne Schein's All-chopin performance when a lady sitting in front of me (she was sitting 1st row, I was sitting 2nd) had her cellphone go off in middle of a piece. She for some reason could not find the cellphone and just panicked... after about 10 seconds of solid ringing, she found it and turned it off. She put the phone under her seat right away. After about 5 minutes, it went off again... she panicked AGAIN and looked for her phone. This time she had no idea where her phone was and started looking in her bag... she finally realized the phone was under her seat so she grabbed it after another solid 10 seconds of ringing. By then I'm getting REAL angry... thinking about maybe smacking her head few times. But I let it go... then the phone went off AGAIN for the 3rd time, luckily right as the crowd started appluading after the final piece... sheesh!

The funny thing is that this lady was probably a pianist/piano teacher since 99.99% of the people in that hall were pianists... sad... real sad... I remember people coughing like nuts and a different cellphone going off elsewhere...

I go to dozens of recitals and concerts each year. About once or twice a year I forget to turn off my cellphone so I start sweating bullets.

Then about 2 years ago I realized all I have to do is take the battery off from the phone to turn it off. This action makes absolutely no noise and it's much easier to do this than to open up a flashy phone with lights coming out... making noise when pressing buttons...

yea... why don't you all just take the battery off? u just dislodge the thing... and boom it's off!

One of the most surreal cell phone moments happened when I was accompanying a violist on Hindemith's Der Schwanendreher. It was her final required recital, but she was not adequately prepared to play something that difficult. Hindemith played badly is excruciating, especially at concerto length. In the middle of a movement (I forget which), someone's phone goes off with Joplin's The Entertainer. So here's this combination of hackneyed Hindemith and ringtone ragtime that goes on forever, since the phone's owner apparently doesn't know how to mute the phone or doesn't care that his phone's ringing (my vote's for the latter). And, get this, the exact same thing happens five minutes later.

Of course, you do realize it's one of the traditions that is keeping classical music "in the closet" so-to-speak, and for what? A nice shirt? Please...

I'm also against the excessive formal classical attire. If I were playing a huge concert, I would be happy that people wore jeans and t-shirts if they were more comfortable and enjoyed themselves more.

Yah, wear comfortable and enjoye the music of course, but what if people attend to your concert like attend to a movie? Bring foods and drinks, make lots of noises? I didn't say I expect people wear VERY FORMAL dresses and make silent all the time, I just would like to see people show their respects to the music and the performers, so, wear a neat cloth or a nice shirt is not comfortable? Please.... it's your own cloth, not borrowed from someone others.

Je ne te comprends pas.

Which language is it?

Noise has never bothered me as a performer. I guess I get that "edge" from sports--high impact, hard-hitting sports. If a 250-lb guy is making a beeline for you (while screaming because he's going to get a rush out of taking your head off) doesn't phase you, certainly a crinkled Skittles wrapper won't either.

But I DO understand how this may impinge upon another audience member's experience, and would ask that unnecessary noise be kept to a minimum. (This does not, however, include appreciative gestures like clapping, or in the case of Wagner, shouting "Bravo!")

But somebody's mode of dress? Personally, I could care less if they showed up in beach-wear. The point is they showed up and are there to experience your music. I don't think ANYTHING in life requires the "respect" of a fancy dress or a nice shirt. (Don't get me started on the elderly who show up to the gym in a button-down shirt, slacks, and polished shoes....) To me, that sort of thing says, "I came to impress the people around me." I much prefer the guy who showed up in a t-shirt and shorts, who says, "I came for the music and damn what the rest of you think about me."

Valarking-- nice to be on the same side again.

I couldn't figure out what language you were speaking so I replied in French.

nooooooop, I'm not French.

Derulux: congratulations! Finally you found someone on your side!

He's got pianojerome for that. I just happen to agree with this even if I don't really like the way this forum is going. It's starting to remind me of the old ChopinFiles.com forums.

Derulux: congratulations! Finally you found someone on your side!
Sheep. You are all sheep. :p

He's got pianojerome for that. I just happen to agree with this even if I don't really like the way this forum is going. It's starting to remind me of the old ChopinFiles.com forums.
Nah, he and I disagree plenty. We just both happen to share a more modern, and perhaps less conservative view of society in general, which, naturally, extends to the classical community (much to the shock and horror of elder or more conservative members). But I'll let him speak for himself if he chooses...I shouldn't put my words in his mouth, where they don't belong.

Now, by "the way this forum is going," would you care to explain? Or will you just be content to complain.

Nah, anyone who would care knows what I'm saying.

LWPianistin: I didn't mean that diabetes was a stupid[est] little thing, I was making a sweeping generalisation about ALL kids and mobile 'phone dependency ...but if there's a diabetic emergency then you call an ambulance, not your mum/dad!

The Cell Phone Operator here has a deal with two concert halls here: when you enter the hall, you do not have Network. Haha that's a nice trick tough.

i can't stand it when people wear jeans and a t-shirt to something like an opera or a concert of that same level. disrespectful. now, say, to my school's concerts, that attire is fine, but not to, say an opera.

ooohhhh.....ok.

i can't stand it when people wear jeans and a t-shirt to something like an opera or a concert of that same level. disrespectful. now, say, to my school's concerts, that attire is fine, but not to, say an opera.
You associate "respect" with what somebody wears?! Wow...

Nah, anyone who would care knows what I'm saying.
Typical response... though you naturally have left out anyone who came after this "cataclysmic event" and would still care.

If the 'wears' does not show somebody's 'respect', then why you say 'wear your best to the church'? Is it a kind of respect? :rolleyes: