Stop the ssh'ers

I never thought I'd say it, especially after my rant of a few days ago. But last night I wanted to ssh the ssh'ers.

The topic has been appearing on blogs of late: Drew McManus brings it up again and despite declaration of a moratorium (and hiding being the Chinese New Year) Alex Ross has thrown in his bit again as well. I'm speaking of course about applause between movements.

At last night's recital by Jose Van Dam at Alice Tully Hall, a few were inclined to applaud between songs in the first Schubert set. Although I wasn't so moved, I was inclined to let them express their pleasure which didn't seem entirely out of place (these were individual songs, not part of a "cycle") and no "mood" would have been broken. But the ssh'ers reigned and quickly silenced those who wanted to express their appreciation of M. Van Dam's artistry.

Applaud or not, that's up to you. But to silence those who would like to seems to me to be all wrong.