Concert going is about to change...and not for the better

It has been a while since I entered what I call the High Rant District and let loose with a good tirade, so I think I am about due.  My incentive came about an hour or so ago when I read an online post from the Los Angeles Times describing a concert in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Tuesday evening featuring Leonard Slatkin conducting the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, currently on a six-city tour of the Sunshine State.

After concluding the concert with Ravel's Bolero (oh, yay!), Slatkin, according to a release issued by the orchestra the following day, quieted the applause from the crowd and announced:  "You've heard that we're the most accessible orchestra on the planet, and tonight you're going to be the most accessible audience on the planet.  For the first time I'd like to invite you to turn (on) your cellphones for a change, and cross the stage's barrier by capturing this moment and posting our photos to your favourite social media channels."

Then, facing a bevy of smart-phones flashing away, Slatkin and his musicians provided an encore piece to conclude the concert, William Walton's "Touch Her Sweet Lips and Part" from the score to "Henry V."

Geez, why didn't they announce to the audience they would like everyone to synchronize their cell-phone flashes to the entrance of instrument passages in "Bolero" so it builds to a flashy crescendo in more ways than one?  That would be just terrific, wouldn't it?

The orchestra spokesperson, with a straight face no less, stated afterwards the orchestra has no advisory against taking cell-phone pictures at their home base in Detroit, and since pictures continually pop up online, she said "so we know people are doing it.  It's never caused a disruption."

Well maybe not for you, lady, but for some of us, this just hammers yet another nail into the coffin holding what used to be known as concert-hall decorum.  The orchestra's desire is to, apparently, have concert-goers "commemorate the moment."  Commemorate what, exactly?

I can see the postings now on Facebook to some of the pictures:  "Gee, Slatkin is starting to stoop a little, have you noticed that?" or "That suit jacket just doesn't fit - just look at the creases across the back!" or even less likely "I think the bowing of the concert-master was a little off on that passage."

In the lobby after Tuesday's concert, we're told, people were abuzz with everyone talking about "how great it was."  Really?

The fact is, none of the pictures and resulting postings are at all relevant in my mind.  This is just a clever way on the orchestra's part to pander to the public's insatiable appetite to take pictures of anything that moves - and some that don't - and post them to social media in order to advertise just how great the orchestra is connecting with their audience and increase their "Likes" on Facebook.

Here's my problem with taking pictures at concerts of any kind:   it is annoying to the musicians, which is why it is generally not allowed.  All those flashes out in the darkness can be more than just a distraction for them.  But what about the audience?  I don't want to sit there with someone a few seats over leaning forward trying to get that perfect picture rather than just sitting back and enjoying the concert.

I have never, ever seen a picture taken at a concert that is worth looking at.  It is either too dark or too far away or both.  And why do you need a picture at a concert, anyway?  Can't you just say "I went to a great concert last night" and then use actual words to describe what you saw?  People used to do that all the time, you know.  I don't need a blurry shot of...nothing in order to illustrate the fact you didn't really have a great seat for the concert at all.

And don't get me started on cell phones in the concert hall besides taking pictures.  When did we lose the ability to simply disconnect from society for a few hours and simply enjoy the concert?  You likely paid good money for those tickets, right?  Why not get your money's worth and enjoy the concert?

Last evening for example, I attended the Measha Brueggergosman recital at the Sean O'Sullivan Theatre at the Marilyn I. Walker Centre for the the Performing Arts at Brock University.  Great artist, great concert.  At the end, everyone stood and applauded, except for a guy an aisle over from me who already had his head buried in his cell-phone to check who knows what.  Please, just try to do without for a couple of hours.  You can check at intermission, is that not enough?

Beyond the concert hall or any other music venue, classical or otherwise, I find people simply take too many pictures now simply because they can.  The quality is often substandard and the quantity is absurd.  I have a friend on Facebook who routinely takes pictures of EVERY element of EVERY trip they have ever been on.  One memorable weekend trip to Toronto resulted in 96 pictures being posted to Facebook afterwards.  96 pictures of a weekend jaunt to Toronto!

Sad to relate, but people just don't care you just bought some cheese at the St. Lawrence Market on Saturday morning.  Good for you.  But why do you need a picture to "commemorate" the event?

Here's a tip for you:  stop taking pictures of your life and start living it instead.  You'll be the better for it.  Trust me.

February 27th, 2014.