Lindsey Orcutt wrote:

>I recall reading that the practice of clapping *only* at the end of all
>the movements is a 20th-century practice, [.] I recall reading as well that
>audiences in earlier days (19th century?) not only clapped in between
>movements, but did so enthusiastically.

I have an example at hand:

The first performance of Borodin's first symphony (January 1869) was
described by Balakirev, who conducted it, as follows:

   "The first movement was received coldly by the audience; there was
   a little applause at the end of it, which soon ceased. I was frightened
   and went straight into the scherzo; which went lively and brought
   long applause. The composer was called for. The audience insisted on
   repeating the scherzo. The remaining movements aroused fervid sympathy
   with the audience, and after the finale the composer was called
   several times."

This description dates from 1888 (in a letter to Stasov).  Apparently,
both at the time and twenty years later, Balakirev did not consider such
behavior of the public improper or unusual.

Willem Vijvers<[log in to unmask]>