Eesti Clap

Now kids...today in health class we're going to discuss a very sensitive subject....okay I'll stop the gross play on words there. I am much more interested in the cultural phenomenon that is how Estonians shower affection on musical performers. Over the last three and a half months, I have attended quite a number of concerts, and never cease to be amazed at the level of gratuity shown by Estonian concert-goers. Three specific instances stick out in my mind, and I would like to share them with you all:

1. My friend John and I went to see the Moscow State Chamber Choir concert about three and a half weeks ago. Honestly, I was a little nervous about how an all-Russian concert would go over in a post-Soviet nation where memories are long and wounds run deep, especially when a very tall and sparkly Russian woman began talking to the audience in the way I always imagined Stalin or Lenin addressed the masses in Red Square. Behind her was quite possibly the most intimidating and serious-looking choir I had ever seen. You wouldn't want to meet these singers in a dark alley, not too mention that each woman's hair-cut was more severe and rigid than the next. Hurricane Katrina wouldn't have tossed a single strand out of place. The concert was breath-taking. At times, I noticed my mouth was dry because it had been hanging open in amazement at the excellence of each song. I nearly wept at one point, nevering even having a clue as to what they were saying/singing. There were no programs, but from what I could gather, the evening was made up of traditional Russian folk-tunes/hymn, national songs, as well as Classical Russian literature. After each number it was as though the audience applause couldn't possibly get any louder, yet it would. At the end of the concert, the hall suddenly began to shake. I realized that it was because the Estonians were now stomping their feet to accompany the roar of the applause. This lead to two curtain calls for the choir. As is customary, someone in the performance recieves flowers at the end of the concert: the conductor, pianist, everyone in a small ensemble. If the composer of a piece is present, they will receive a flower. Flower giving is a serious thing here. It only got more absurd from here. After the choir's second departure, the "slow clap" began, and everyone joined. Soon, the entire audience was clapping in unison, demanding an encore...and they were obliged. Apparently there weren't that many hard feelings towards the Russians, at least not that night.

2. Three days ago, I went to see Chanticleer, an all-male choral ensemble from San Fransisco. They were amazing, nearly flawless. Aside from their impeccable execution, it was really nice to hear peices I recognized, standard American repretoire, as well as many international pieces. After my concert with the Moscow State Chamber Choir, I was pretty sure I had seen the pinnacle of Estonian esteem. This evening, however, the audience did not even let Chanticleer leave for intermission without a second curtain call. I'm not even sure if you can encore the first half of a concert. I think that's actually just called...the second half. Well...this only minorly assuaged the Estonian enthusiasm. After the first piece of the second half, the concert-quakes began. With over 1/3 of the concert to go, the foot stomping had already begun. I was in for a long concert. In good, American fashion, Chanticleer ended the concert with an up-beat spiritual. It's like they were asking for an encore. Well, they got it...two of 'em. Before their first encore, they all recieved their customary flower, which they accepted very grasciously. They thanked the audiece for their wonderful time in Estonia and acknowledged them as one of the best audiences in the world. For their second encore they actually sang an Estonian piece. This sealed their fate. The audience was up on it's feet. Not that their Estonian was particularly good; I could hardly tell that they were even singing in Estonian, but I don't think many foreign choirs dare to attempt this. Well after some whooting and hollering, Chanticleer left the stage again, returned for a third curtain call, and I believe a fourth. Always leave them wanting more I guess is the plan as they declined a third encore, and thus the concert ended. Like the Cold War, Olympic Hockey, and landing a man on the moon, it looks like the Americans beat the Russians yet again ;)

3. Two nights ago, I went to a small vocal concert held in the Town Hall. The audience numbered about 35. The pianist accompanying the singer was fantastic, and the singer was good, but she had some flaws. This did not stop the small, but mighty audience. I guess one moral of the story is you can't beat the home team on their own field. Aside from two curtain calls before intermission, she recieved two more at the end, and ran out of encores to sing. What was most amazing however, was the sheer volume of foliage she and the pianist accumulated. I think my two friends and I were the only ones not to have brought something. Apparently we didn't get the memo. When thirty-five people bring you flowers, that's alot of plant. After singing and playing their hearts out, they amassed quite a garden. I honestly can't imagine concerts getting more ridiculous than these three, however I've been amazed each time at the level of gratitude shown by music-lovers here. I'm very excited to see what happens next!

*Pics: http://www.tituslabs.com/OAL%20Applause.jpg