Mark Shanks wrote:

>Something else that just isn't done (anymore) is booing or hissing.
>And I'm not sure that *that* abstinence is altogether a "good thing".
>If Stravinsky, Mahler, Brahms, et al could survive it, I feel it might
>be doubly beneficial to some of the poseurs out there.

I must say I feel some trepidation at the idea of reviving the riot scenes
of yesteryear, but your comment made me think that perhaps at least a bit
of today's audience decorum may mask a sleepy complacency and lack of real
commitment to the music.  A while back, many list members even disapproved
of standing ovations at the end of concerts, if I remember correctly.
Perhaps the managements of various musical organizations could issue some
guidelines in their promotional material--something like:  "We appreciate
standing ovations after concerts, not exceeding 5 minutes in duration,
and will tolerate a moderate level of hissing, but no booing or applause
between movements except for especially virtuosic first movements of
concertos, please."

Jon Johanning // [log in to unmask]