The Encore - More Than Music

The Encore: A Quiet Dialogue Between Performer and Audience

An encore is never just an extra piece—it’s a moment of shared breath, a quiet dialogue after the final bow.

The moment to decide whether to play an encore is brief and marks a beautiful communication with the audience. When the formal program is over and the applause reflects the whole concert it is time to decide. I often make my decision right before stepping out on stage for another bow.

Here I am playing an encore after a recent recital in England. What a very special moment!

More Than Music

An encore isn’t rehearsed in the same way as the main program. It's prepared, but it feels a bit like a letter not yet sent. My encores even seem to take a special place in my concert preparation as I envision that final moment of a concert.

It can be a sparkling showpiece or a quiet farewell. I usually choose a piece fitting to the venue, to the program, and sometimes even to my audience.

When Silence Is Gold

Not every concert calls for an encore. Some endings are meant to be final and complete. In those moments, playing more would feel like breaking a spell. For me that’s the time when silence is gold.

But when the applause stays strong, when it doesn’t fade, when it has that joyful and excited tone, then it is time to come out again and thank the audience with something personal and special.

A Beautiful Tradition

The encore is one of classical music’s most beautiful traditions. It is never guaranteed, never required. But when it happens, it reflects something rare: a spontaneous alignment between artist, audience, and the music itself.