What To Do At Classical Music Recital?

[plowter]

Watching Proms on BBC Four (St John Passion).
Like listening to this at home - in background.
Would love to hear this live but don't know what to do!
What are you supposed to do at a classical music recital?

[paddywak]

Jomilf and minty are spot on,make yourself comfortable close your eyes and just let the music flow over you.

[shoota]

Is a small quintet a quartet?
And a tiny one a trio?
How would you describe a duet?
As for a soloist......

[seadogg]

A quintet is often an established string quartet with an added instrument Shoota, eg 1st and 2nd violin viola and cello +1.
Trios are usually named groups including piano violin and cello.

[saxy_jag]

Suggest you start by going to a performance of something you're familiar with or an orchestra/ensemble you know you like. That way you'll be able to focus on the music and not worry too much about what you're doing right or wrong.

Don't rustle sweet papers.

Don't chatter.

Don't take photos or video footage.

Do switch off your phone - not vibrate - off!

Try not to leave in the middle of a piece.

And you don't have to 'dress up'. Smart casual is fine for all but the most formal of concerts.

And I must just relate the tale of the guide dog who came with his blind master to numerous classical concerts. He would lie very quietly on the floor throughout the performance and would stand up and wag his tale whenever the audience applauded. I believe he thought the applause was for him.

[marval]

Yes seadog, I love Schubert's "Trout Quintet".

[plowter]

Feck it! You cultured ABers have convinced me to go.

They might be at the pop end of the spectrum - but they sound darned loverly.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mh6s71MicgY

[FrogNog]

Sounds lovely plowter. I'm sure you'll be enthralled. Enjoy your evening.

[askyourgran]

Not particularly bothered about your consideration FrogNog, I was merely giving my view as a regular lunchtime recital afficianado (usually a quintet) in one of Leeds' City church halls. Some were boring others were quite spellbinding. I did say small in relation to what I thought I'd read of FrogNog's experience of a much larger orchestra/ensemble in Ripon Cathedral. A sandwich and a tin of coke went down well with the music.

[marval]

Good for you plowter, enjoy the concert.