I found Gil Shaham’s performance tonight to be absolutely breath taking. A world-class artist performing some of the most captivating pieces ever written. There is just something about Bach that transcends everything. The 3 hours went by so quickly, I wished it had taken longer.

I was a bit apprehensive when I heard there was going to be film to go along with the music, but I have to say….as a Bach lover and enthusiast, I found the slow-motion films to be exactly what was needed in a space like Hill to deepen the average audience member’s listening experience. The films for me, helped to offer a new perspective or way of looking at each movement. I disagree with a comment made already that the films weren’t “relevant” or had “nothing to do with Bach.” I find those statements to be completely ludicrous, because for me…. Bach is everything, and everything is Bach.

The audience members behaved better this time around compared to some of the past performances I’ve been too…..still some whisper’s, and clumsy people dropping cellphones during the softest part of an adagio…audience grade this time around is a B-

Overall, an incredibly moving performance by one of the most revered artists in the world. I will never listen to Bach the same way again.

I am a music student at the University of Michigan, and I’ve attended many performances of all kinds at Hill Auditorium. One thing about live performances that always strikes me to the core is simply how rude and oblivious audiences are. I’ve never sat through more than 2 seconds of silence in an auditorium without someone dropping a program, whispering to their neighbor, creaking their seat, coughing at an unacceptable volume…..audiences are the worst part of live performances for me as an observer.

The beginning of the Debussy was ruined by chatting, and awful ushers that were still sitting people after Mr. Hutchins began his first note. This is unacceptable. I understand that audiences at orchestra concerts tend to be a bit older, but what I’ll never understand is the sounds that come out of peoples bodies at these most delicate performances. A cough or sneeze would be an understatement. These audience members made sounds similar to wild animals. What is seriously the issue with audiences? Do they have no clue as to what the proper etiquette is at an orchestra concert?

The works of Debussy, Prokofiev and Stravinsky are masterpieces. They deserve respect. They need silence, and a focused atmosphere in which to thrive. I attended a performances of András Schiff not to long ago at Hill, and although his artistry was incredible, the annoyances of the audience almost ruined the performance for me and my friend.

Is there a solution to this? Can audiences actually sit still for 45 minutes of a symphony? Can an audience respect silence, and not pull out their phones in the middle of a piano sonata or whisper to their friend at the beginning of Firebird?

I am about fed up with live audiences. Sometimes I wish I had just stayed home, and listened to a perfectly good recording.