Temianka’s Performance Lectures
The typical performance notes that audiences expect to read in a handout or program, he reasoned, weren't nearly engaging enough for an art form that relies on sound — wouldn't it make more sense to hear those notes instead?
Concert programs from as early as 1951 note "comments from the stage by Mr. Temianka," and his later series, aptly titled "Let's Talk Music," prominently featured lectures and discussions about topics like music history, appreciation and performance techniques. Sometimes, large portions of Temianka's audience would stay back after a performance to ask questions and hear more of his remarks.
Audiences weren't the only ones enamored with Temianka's commentaries. One program from a 1963 performance mentions the acclaim surrounding Temianka's more interactive approach:
"When someone like Temianka comes along to annotate verbally with human interest, accuracy and excellence, program notes give music a lift." — Herbert Donaldson
But what exactly did Temianka discuss in these commentaries, and what made them so impactful to his audiences?
- people coming up to the stage and discussing further
- description of lectures
- lecture/radio annotations