Why Do Musicians Leave And Come Back For More Cheers?

You’re at a concert. The last note is played, the audience bursts into applause and the artist leaves the stage. But wait, after a few moments of thunderous applause, you see him return. Maybe he bows, maybe he picks up his instrument and, suddenly, starts playing again!

If you’ve ever wondered why musicians leave the stage only to return for another performance, we’ve all had this dilemma at one time or another. The encore is one of the most beloved traditions in live music, from mainstream concerts to classical symphonies. But where does this ritual come from, and what’s the deal with artists who claim they’re done when they’re clearly not? Let’s take a look at the fascinating history of the encore.

Origins

The word ‘encore‘ comes from French and means ‘again’. But the tradition itself goes back much further. In the 18th and 19th centuries, audiences in opera houses and concert halls were anything but quiet and polite – they were rowdy, opinionated and not afraid to demand more of what they loved. If a play or performance was particularly moving, the audience would shout “Encore!” (or its local equivalent) until the performer forced themselves to repeat.

In fact, encores were so frequent that they became a bit of a problem. Some composers, such as Gustav Mahler, even banned them in their performances, believing that breaking the flow of a carefully structured concert ruined the musical experience.

From rehearsals to surprises

Originally, encores were exact repeats of an audience favorite section. But over time, it evolved into something more spontaneous and unpredictable. Instead of repeating a piece, musicians began to perform completely new works at the end of the concert, often something lighter or more crowd-pleasing.

For example, Franz Liszt, the original rock star of classical music, would impress his audience with his virtuosity on the piano, leave the stage and then return spectacularly for a stunning new performance. He practically invented the idea of an encore as a bonus to end the performance, rather than a mere rehearsal.

The fake goodbye trick

Let’s be honest. Sometimes the encores feel a little staged. The performer leaves, the audience applauds wildly and, surprise, the performer returns. So do musicians always plan their encores or are they truly spontaneous?

The truth is… it depends. Many classical music concerts, especially in the modern era, have encores built into the program. It’s a little theatrical trick to give the audience a satisfying ending, without making them stay in the concert hall any longer than they should. But, in smaller halls or solo recitals, there are also situations where the encore is a genuine response from the artist, a thank you to the audience for attending the performance.

Fun fact, some conductors or performers will only play an encore if they feel the audience truly deserves it. The legendary pianist Vladimir Horowitz was known for being unpredictable with his encores – sometimes he played more, sometimes he didn’t play at all.

So why do musicians come and go?

At its essence, the encore is about energy and connection. It’s a moment when artist and audience connect and exchange appreciation.

Next time you’re at a concert and the artist leaves, don’t be fooled. Keep clapping, keep cheering, and you might just have a magical ending of the concert.