Encores

**Dan Boon** · 24-11-2009, 12:24

I was lucky enough to attend Nikolai Demidenko’s recital at the Wimbledon music festival last Saturday.
The performance should have ended with Mussorgsky’s masterpiece “Pictures at an Exhibition.” I say should have, because after Demidenko had transported the audience around that famous exhibition and left us transfixed in wonder, he returned to play two short encore pieces which, nice though they were, left me feeling somewhat downbeat. Is it just me or does anyone else agree, that these encores often add nothing to the entertainment? By their very nature they tend to be short un-substantial pieces that detract from the crescendo of the programmed pieces. There are bound to be exceptions but in this case they were superfluous.

**ambernector** · 26-11-2009, 22:30

You have raised a point that I have not thought about before, but inside me thinks you are right.

Pictures at an exhibition is one of favourite classical pieces of music. To listen to that live would be pleasing enough, and also long enough. Encores at the end, of course will be unrelated to the main performance and will be challenging music to show of the abilities of the performers.

I have been to a Strauss evening before and really enjoyed the performance, as you said it lifts your mood. Then come the encores at the end, which your not always mentally prepared for, but have to listen to. The encores are always the music I forget about. So yes you have raised a valid point. I would be happy for encores to join the contents of room 101.

**Dan Boon** · 27-11-2009, 11:25

Cheers, I am glad someone agrees. There is of course an exception I know of. Gabriela Montero. I saw her do an encore improvisation on the theme from the muppets that blew me away. Check out youtube to get an idea.

**samantha** · 27-11-2009, 16:15

It is usually the audience who instigate an encore.

I feel it is very appropriate. Consider having a crowd who are cheering and chanting for more music and then the orchestra leave. It just wouldn't work.

**ambernector** · 28-11-2009, 21:32

Maybe the organisers of concerts could play a better role for encores. Obviously Orchestras must have something prepared, as I doubt they could start playing something out of the blue. Does that make sense?

**Dan Boon** · 30-11-2009, 10:48

Originally Posted by samantha

It is usually the audience who instigate an encore.

I feel it is very appropriate. Consider having a crowd who are cheering and chanting for more music and then the orchestra leave. It just wouldn't work.

The point I was trying to make is I would prefer to leave a concert wanting more than after an encore which tend to be short party pieces. I like the big finale.