|
pim_derks
|
 |
« Reply #30 on: 21:49:18, 08-06-2007 » |
|
A similar story happened with Andras Schiff playing Schumann in Berkeley, California. I wish more musicians had such courage!
Schiff is a very modest man, just like Brendel. Modest people shout only when it's necessary.  |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
"People hate anything well made. It gives them a guilty conscience." John Betjeman
|
|
|
|
Chafing Dish
Guest
|
|
« Reply #31 on: 22:04:07, 08-06-2007 » |
|
A similar story happened with Andras Schiff playing Schumann in Berkeley, California. I wish more musicians had such courage!
Schiff is a very modest man, just like Brendel. Modest people shout only when it's necessary. Sorry, not an identical, but a similar story, that is, he addressed the audience. There was exasperation, but he didn't shout. |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
trained-pianist
|
|
« Reply #32 on: 22:04:31, 08-06-2007 » |
|
I am glad we are discussing this the topic of modesty and pride in musicians.
Unfortunately many musicians (majority?) will do anything for an engagement.
I do respect both musicians for standing up for themselves.
Perhaps these two can afford it and some younger ones can't.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
pim_derks
|
|
« Reply #33 on: 22:20:08, 08-06-2007 » |
|
Sorry, not an identical, but a similar story, that is, he addressed the audience. There was exasperation, but he didn't shout.
Well, he didn't exactly shout in Amsterdam!  But then, even when you whisper in the grand hall of the Concertgebouw everybody can hear you.  When Edvard Grieg was celebrated in the Concertgebouw somewhere around the year 1900, he gave a speech to the audience while standing on his chair.  Speaking of Brendel, Schiff and modesty, what kind of horrible message board is this: http://www.dasdc.net/forum/viewtopic.php?p=76490I don't want to talk about music and musicians in this kind of way.  |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
"People hate anything well made. It gives them a guilty conscience." John Betjeman
|
|
|
|
Daniel
|
|
« Reply #34 on: 22:21:45, 08-06-2007 » |
|
Friedrich Gulda apparently once turned to his audience before a recital and called them 'stinking reactionaries'.
Was this in Vienna? Well I've always imagined it happening in Vienna but I don't think I've ever actually known... however I did a little googling tonight and I can now tell you it took place on 15 Dec, 1979 in the Vienna Konzerthaus which, if you're interested I found here. There is a link to a short newspaper report if you scroll down to the date which unfortunately I could not understand, as I don't speak German. |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
pim_derks
|
|
« Reply #35 on: 22:47:32, 08-06-2007 » |
|
it took place on 15 Dec, 1979 in the Vienna Konzerthaus I knew it! Thanks for posting this. Shall I make a little translation of the newspaper report?  |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
"People hate anything well made. It gives them a guilty conscience." John Betjeman
|
|
|
|
Daniel
|
|
« Reply #36 on: 23:02:59, 08-06-2007 » |
|
Shall I make a little translation of the newspaper report? Little, or big, that would be very interesting. Thanks. |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
George Garnett
|
|
« Reply #37 on: 11:30:15, 11-06-2007 » |
|
I managed to take two photos in the end:  Talking of musicians and modesty, I wonder if the uncropped version of this photo reveals who the distinguished gentleman in the light suit standing behind Mr Brendel might be? |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
Tony Watson
Guest
|
|
« Reply #38 on: 12:46:06, 11-06-2007 » |
|
"Distinguished gentleman" - he'll like that! He's a colleague of mine - Christopher Symons - and together we organize the concerts, with him doing the major part. That's how I was able to get a second photo, even though Mr Brendel was anxious to get on with trying out the piano. I found AB not at all aloof but thoroughly charming and courteous. It's just that before he concert he is completely focused on the music and does not want any unnecessary distractions. After the photos I was just one of three other people in the hall to hear him put the piano through its paces, so I felt rather privileged.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
pim_derks
|
|
« Reply #39 on: 22:36:37, 12-06-2007 » |
|
More about the coughing: I read in a Dutch newspaper the other day that Maria-Joćo Pires was also irritated by the coughing of the Amsterdam audience when she gave a concert in the Concertgebouw last week. According to the paper, she didn't shout to the audience like Brendel did, but she added an extra, very loud last chord to an Impromptu. |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
"People hate anything well made. It gives them a guilty conscience." John Betjeman
|
|
|
|
trained-pianist
|
|
« Reply #40 on: 06:53:36, 13-06-2007 » |
|
Our audience here is very polite and quite, as a rule. People are afraid to breath. It doesn't even matter if performers are bad or good or anything in between.
One always knows if the audience is listening. But here organizers put cough suppressing candy and if somebody starts coughing they are offered them right away.
I do think it is a good idea to offer people this candies for free (one per person if they don't cough).
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
eruanto
Guest
|
|
« Reply #41 on: 11:13:20, 13-06-2007 » |
|
surely the candy would have a usefulness limited to about half an hour?
going to hear Brendel tomorrow evening at RFH. looking forward to it a lot. It will also take the form of the customary er celebratory er event followng my exam. freeeeeeeedom is coming....
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
pim_derks
|
|
« Reply #42 on: 11:40:06, 13-06-2007 » |
|
The Dutch singer and comedian Wim Sonneveld used to say: "People who cough don't go to a doctor, they go to the theatre." |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
"People hate anything well made. It gives them a guilty conscience." John Betjeman
|
|
|
|
George Garnett
|
|
« Reply #43 on: 00:55:52, 14-06-2007 » |
|
And one from Ralph Richardson: "Acting is merely the art of keeping a large group of people from coughing".
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
Tony Watson
Guest
|
|
« Reply #44 on: 17:02:45, 18-06-2007 » |
|
I found it interesting, in the review of Brendel's recital in the RFH, which was the same programme as the one I mentioned at the beginnnig of this thread and which appeared in today's Guardian that he was staring particularly hard at coughers, perhaps because he was not totally satisfied with the sound at the RFH. It's not a direct consequence of that but I will not be at all surprised if he retires this year.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
