Making mistakes in classical music

Our Classical Music Specialist Kate Rockstrom takes a look at some mistakes in musical history that were overcome and turned into beautiful performances.


When you’re a musician, making mistakes during live performances is a very real thing. Of course, you practice and practice and practice indefinitely but sometimes things happen that you have no control over. I thought I would share a few of moments that certainly changed my perception of what can happen and how talented musicians can sometimes make an even better performance because of it.

When I first heard this story, I didn’t quite believe it. Due to communication errors the esteemed pianist Maria Joao Pires had prepared the wrong concerto for a concert in Amsterdam. As the opening notes come from the strings, her face falls and after a few muttered words with the conductor she starts playing the correct concerto. With musicality and a beautiful sound she performs completely from memory with no practice.



What happens though when something gets in your way on stage during an opera. Placido Domingo trips over a chair that he failed to move out of the way but immediately catches his balance and doesn’t even miss a note. It’s amazing to watch. (It’s about 4.20 if you want to skip to it but listening to him sing is also very enjoyable.)



For budding musicians it can be hard to implement advice on what to do when you make mistakes. In this a terrific short video from the New Zealand Chamber Music Contest an adjudicator and an organiser share what they know about competing and it’s worth watching to get an insight into the mind of classical musicians as they perform.



When you get to the end of a concert, sometimes the audience are so enthralled in your performance they don’t want you to leave. If there’s no encore prepared, you might just have to wing it. Like Victor Borge and Anton Kontra who decide on a piece that Kontra knew, but Borge had only ever heard before. It’s a feat of musicianship.



Sometimes of course, the surprise comes premeditated from the musician. Wait for it…



And finally, this is the reason rehearsals are always required. It’s not classical music, but it’s a sound lesson for any musician.



Kate Rockstrom

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Cover image for Schubert

Schubert

Maria João Pires

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