I am playing a violin concerto with an orchestra and a fairly large audience in a few weeks. So my question is, in the long Tutti parts where I don't play, should I face towards the audience, and what should my posture be like?
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12Why not watch what other known players do in videos?– user1803551Feb 1, 2018 at 10:48
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1Since this question was first written, the title has now been changed from a general enquiry as to stance/attitude into a straight either/or between 2 options not originally mentioned, which I'm sure was not the OP's intent.– TetsujinFeb 2, 2018 at 13:02
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@Tetsujin it is meant to be a general enquiry but the opinions offered are valid also– S.LFeb 2, 2018 at 16:33
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5 Answers
Some performers prefer the "look busy" approach. I once attended an oboe concerto performance in which the oboist swabbed out his instrument every time he had more than 4 measures' rest. I suppose a violinist could rub down excess rosin, pretend to tweak the bow tension, re-set the comfy rag under the shoulder rest, etc.
In any case, looking attentive, and keeping an eye on the conductor, are good suggestions. Then about 2 bars before your next entrance, turn to the audience, close your eyes as though in rapture, and dramatically prepare your posture and bow for the entrance.
answered Feb 1, 2018 at 12:52
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29Rubbing rosin off the strings during a quiet clarinet interlude sounds like an excellent prank. Feb 1, 2018 at 13:17
You could remain directly facing the audience, with the smile gradually dripping from your face to be replaced by something between boredom & abject terror...
...or you may find it a lot easier to just quarter-turn & watch the conductor.
You're still up there, looking professional, paying attention, but aren't being subjected to the actinic glare of the audience's gaze whilst having nothing to actually do.
You could look at your feet... but it doesn't come over well ;)
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8There's a third option. Visibly count out measures on your fingers while clearly mouthing "one two three four". Feb 2, 2018 at 18:02
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4This was originally a rather facetious [though well-intentioned] comment-as-answer which has since taken on greater proportions. I which I'd listed all the wrong things to do whilst looking really really nervous ;) My intention was just that 'looking at the conductor' takes away the pressure of 'performance' when there's no performing to be done right now, whilst not looking or feeling a total £$%^& until it's your next turn.– TetsujinFeb 2, 2018 at 19:22
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@ToddWilcox - ikr... it was just an opportunity I really could have extended into an essay/diatribe. I wish i'd taken the opportunity at the time - would feel unworthy to extend it now ;-)– TetsujinFeb 2, 2018 at 20:04
It would be absolutely rude and unprofessional not to focus on the music when anybody but yourself is playing. You are a soloist, not the sole player. The others aren't just fluff between your parts.
And even if you think the audience has only eyes for you, then you should use this to make them aware of the music rather than engaging in a private conversation at the cost of other musicians.
See a primadonna handle this situation professionally: the first minutes of this video of Maria Callas singing Carmen are purely instrumental. She stays focused on the music, staying in character, not really engaging with the audience and when her actual part comes, she not jumps into activity and then stops again but that part comes as a natural continuation of her posture during the long tutti parts.
Of course, operatic singing cannot be compared with instrumental soloing since the former is supposed to convey a character, but still the situations are not entirely dissimilar.
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11@Beanluc The first words of the title of the question are "As a soloist" and then the question starts with "I am playing a violin concerto with an orchestra" so I guess they are the soloist.– 11684Feb 2, 2018 at 1:45
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1@11684 The original title was "Facing the audience/ orchestra" before another user and I edited it. So maybe the OP isn't actually the soloist... But I think it's heavily implied by the context. :P– KevinFeb 2, 2018 at 23:46
My go-to approach for this is just to let your eyes guide the audience to where you believe their attention should be. If you look at the orchestra after you have been the center of attention for a bit, they'll do the same thing. Lead the audience to where you want them to be...both with your music, and with your body (and eye!) language.
Edit: Once it's your "turn" again, look out into the audience to command their attention.
As I have been doing it and haven't failed, is to keep giving the same show to the crowd, I mean looking at them, AND, periodically looking at the conductor/ main player. Remember my role? I commented it in another post @tetsujin is helping me, and yes, several times I feel like the soloist because of Techno music sounding when my guitar has no place, yet... Until wait for it... Bang! It sounds awesome for the crowd, but remember, never steal much attention after your part.
