More than a few critics have told me that the first rule you learn in criticism is: Don't criticize the audience and I usually agree. Of course, for most it is just to avoid nasty letters to the editor. For me it is more a matter of the purpose of a critic. If patrons clap at the "wrong" time or come in late or even talk, it's not my role as a critic to be evaluating them. These are people who have paid $ to hear a show. I personally might get annoyed by someone, but it would be a misuse of power to put that in a review. The exceptions I make are more journalistic in nature (beyond music criticism to general newsworthiness): mentioning dramatic crowd reactions from time to time or revealing how full or empty a house is.
So my Pittsburgh New Music Ensemble review from last weekend deviated a bit. It was a great show with not enough people in the audience. I am not so much angry that people didn't see it as I am bummed that they missed what director Kevin Noe is doing. My rant about the lack of people was really a rave about PNME.
The next shows are 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday at City Theatre. Of course, as luck would have it, I won't be able to make the next few, but I am sending reviewers to most and I can't wait for that final concert. But don't go because the critic complained. Check it out for your own enjoyment. I am not going to vouch for every decision PNME makes or every performance, but it is largely a fascinating experiment going on, and worth a visit.
Posted
Jul 01 2008, 01:35 PM
by
Andrew Druckenbrod