1. Silent Greeting • Greeting with a bow without speaking preserves the depth of the music and the moment. It conveys the message, “the music has spoken,” and offers a graceful way to thank the audience without breaking the spirit of the performance. • Stepping back without turning around: Not turning your back to the audience is also considered a gesture of respect in both Eastern and Western stage traditions.
2. Tradition and Ethics • In classical orchestras, chamber music, and many performing arts, I have witnessed such forms of greeting. On these stages, the artist remains on stage until the applause ends and then slowly steps back—this is a true ritual.
3. Personal Artistic Stance • Thanking the audience through body language rather than words reflects the artist’s own style and character. To some, it comes across as minimalist, elegant, and self-assured; to others, as an extension of a performance infused with mystical silence.
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Note: At times, this stage habit of mine may be interpreted in different ways. Yet my only intention is to preserve the spirit of the music and to show my deepest respect to the audience. Greeting in silence and leaving the stage without turning my back is an expression of my deep respect for the listeners; it carries no other meaning. If I have unintentionally caused any misunderstandings, I sincerely apologise.
Ahmet Aslan
1. Silent Greeting
• Greeting with a bow without speaking preserves the depth of the music and the moment. It conveys the message, “the music has spoken,” and offers a graceful way to thank the audience without breaking the spirit of the performance.
• Stepping back without turning around: Not turning your back to the audience is also considered a gesture of respect in both Eastern and Western stage traditions.
2. Tradition and Ethics
• In classical orchestras, chamber music, and many performing arts, I have witnessed such forms of greeting. On these stages, the artist remains on stage until the applause ends and then slowly steps back—this is a true ritual.
3. Personal Artistic Stance
• Thanking the audience through body language rather than words reflects the artist’s own style and character. To some, it comes across as minimalist, elegant, and self-assured; to others, as an extension of a performance infused with mystical silence.
⸻
Note: At times, this stage habit of mine may be interpreted in different ways. Yet my only intention is to preserve the spirit of the music and to show my deepest respect to the audience. Greeting in silence and leaving the stage without turning my back is an expression of my deep respect for the listeners; it carries no other meaning. If I have unintentionally caused any misunderstandings, I sincerely apologise.
⸻ Ahmet Aslan
2 months ago | [YT] | 24