Expectations in the concert hall

Hi Robin,

For me, I think the live event brings with it all sorts of exaltation and absolution not afforded when listening to a recording.

I think this is especially true if 'judging ' studio produced music where the expectation is for the highest standard of performance. After all if its not right, they get to do it over before committing it to posterity.

In a live event I think there is a level of excitement and anticipation that cannot be easily reproduced in a recording, ....well because live is live, anything can happen. All I expect is the artists try their best and you get a sense that they are keen to share their love of the music. It's best effort not best performance that I am after and being able to share the joy with both the artists and my fellows in the audience. If you get both its a bonus.

I of course expect better performance of seasoned professionals and also the more gifted artists that carry with them a reputation.

My vote for one of the worst live performances I ever heard was a Don Mclean concert in Sydney about 30 years ago. He delivered his 'set' like a monotonous drudging drone. I think he bothered to mumble a few words at the audience maybe 2 or 3 times only.

One of the most exciting performances was a Michael Nyman concert about 20 years ago in Adelaide. I was in town for a work conference so simply wandered into the concert almost by happenstance. I sat in one of few seats left, front row middle. The music was loud, frenetic and chaotic and the dozen or so young people in his string section were all giving 110%, playing like they were possessed with super human energy. I felt like I was in a wind tunnel of sound blowing my (then) hair backwards. It was utterly sensational!


David
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"All music is folk music. I ain't never heard no horse sing a song." -
- Louis Armstrong