Symphony concerts and the curse of the cough

[Contratrombone64]

I listened to the Sydney Symphony’s Elgar Festival opening concert last night, as it was broadcast by Aunty (the ABC).

Vladimir Ashkenazy’s conducting was wonderful and he really captured the autumnal aspects of both the ‘cello concerto and the blissful first symphony beautifully. The playing from the orchestra was crystalline and sumptuous, with lush strings and beautifully blended woodwind solos. The Chinese ‘cellist, whose name escapes me, gave an inspired performance of the ‘cello concerto (though nothing surpasses the late Jacqueline du Pre in my book).

After interval came the first symphony, a work I’ve adored since my teens (many years ago), in fact it was one of the first orchestral scores I ever saved my pocket money up and bought. I felt Ashkenazy’s tempi a little on the slow side all the way through but when the coda came I was sad that it was over. He certainly inspired the orchestra to play at their best and the uniformity of sound and approach was as good as it gets.

The audience – should all have been taken outside (at interval) and whipped. The coughing and rattling of programs really annoyed me as it distracted from the music. Why do people always cough in the quiets moments AND if they do really have a cough they just shouldn’t be there. The coughing, as always at concerts is a way of an audience member marking his or her territory, for one noisy cough a cold does not make. Turwethiel and I have had involved discussions about this and it’s why we basically don’t subscribe to the symphony.

On the other hand I’ve been to concerts where you could of heard a pin drop ... the Vienna Philharmonic for example (funnily enough with Turwethiel, must have been the last time I heard a symphony concert live in Sydney and that was a couple of years ago). The audience at their concert didn’t make a noise, odd!

[Corno Dolce]

Oh man, I suffer to no end when someone right behind me starts *hacking away* during a concert...Heavy Sigh...Thanx for the review of the Elgar concert.

[Contratrombone64]

yes - most people who actually have a real cough, just don't go to concerts. It's that random and very noisy clearing of the throat that is just for show that really makes me want to commit homicide.

[Tûrwethiel]

Yes, I've often thought nasty thoughts involving sensors that can detect coughs before they happen and then trigger either a Stark Trek style disappearing act or a "cone of silence" technology to cover the screams while these miscreants are copping electrical shocks.

[Corno Dolce]

Aloha Sister T,

I like your fantasy of how the problem coughers is solved

Cheerio,

CD

[Tûrwethiel]

Why thank you Corno. I would extend this type of treatment to people who make horrid noises with lolly wrappers and chip packets, too. As for those who don't turn off their mobile phones ... I'll leave that to your imagination!

[Corno Dolce]

There are any number of jamming devices that will block outgoing and incoming mobile calls that can be installed in concert halls...

[Mat]

I'm sure there are also devices that will shoot away anyone who makes a noise during a concert. Those should be installed in concert halls...

[Kuhlau]

My experience of symphony concert-going certainly bears out what's already been said here so far. But worse still, IMO, is the noise patrons feel it necessary to make during chamber music recitals.

Last year, I attended a concert at the famous Wigmore Hall in London - a charming and exquisite chamber music venue with a well-deserved global reputation. It has an intimate feel to it, a bit like sitting in someone's (albeit over-sized) front room.

Throughout the evening, the throat-clearers, hacking-coughers and programme-rustlers were out in force. And the most irritating thing of all? I was sat there, absolutely silent during the performances, suffering with a severe chest infection that inevitably meant I had to cough up my lungs during the breaks between acts.

If I can attend a concert when so ill and not disturb a single soul's enjoyment of the music, why can't other, obviously healthy attendees do likewise?

FK

[Kromme]

Guys,do not think you heard a coughing audience before listening to Mravinsky's Shostakovich 8,live recording in London.There is coughing barricade no barrage before you get to hear the music.Beautiful silent first movement inaudible at times.