That’s what a musician in Deutschland asked in a programme about classical music on DW-TV (Berlin).

I agree with him. He said it’s funny when you think about it. Yes, it is. Just like many of the other silly traditions of the classical music field and performances.

One wonders where these insane traditions began? Like the walking back and forth from the podium to the stage door at the end of a performance. That is one of the most insane traditions there is. Back and forth, back and forth, back and forth and the audience doesn’t seem to tire of “clapping.” The audience has been brainwashed that’s what one is supposed to do. Mindlessly walk back and forth from the front of the stage to the stage door. I guess someone will ask: If there’s no bowing, what would you do? Just smile in appreciation and leave the stage and don’t return. The musician already understands that the audience enjoyed the performance. So there’s no need for a 20-minute applaud session and walking back and forth and back and forth and back and forth and back and forth. You get the idea. It’s absolutely insanity. For example, would you bow to someone if s/he told you in person privately that they enjoyed your performance? NO, you would not bow to that person. You would just say thank you. So why bow before a lot of people if you wouldn’t bow before one person?

The musician on DW didn’t expand on his thinking about these other silly traditions, but he made it clear that he thought much of the “formalities” or protocol that musicians do is quite funny and ridiculous when you think about it. And he asked: Why do we do this stuff? Yes, I’ve been asking the same question for years.

Well, musicians do it because some nut — was it god Franz Liszt again? — started it and it became tradition, so it’s expected. Just like Messiah is dragged out and expected every December, world without end. Sigh.

Or with another genre, whenever a Black person dies, it’s required that Gospel music be played at the funeral, world without end. Another insane tradition. Because Black people are only into Gospel music, right?