Nick Jones speaks eloquently and concludes:
>I wouldn't go so far as to encourage inter-movement applause in print,
>but if others are bursting with enthusiasm, then the *least* the
>performers can do is smile and nod their thanks.
But what about the concentration of the artist? Shouldn't this be
respected as well? If a pianist is deeply engrossed in not only the
technical challenges but the mood s/he is creating in a difficult piano
concerto, is it a favor to break this concentration with applause then
expect the soloist graciously to smile and nod thanks?
I don't really know the answer -- perhaps the show of appreciation helps
the soloist understand that the audience is with him/her. However, is
generally seems to me that the scowls I see, not just from soloists but
from orchestra members when a work is interrupted by applause, indicate
that they mind the interruption.
Jane Erb