Some Like it Inflamed

At first, I always sweep the rows with my eyes. Then it begins. It is the same feeling wherever I am. – on the shaky stage of the community hous of ”Mucsaröcsöge”, or in the National Theatre. Feelings which pursue each other all the time: expectance, tension, relief.

There is one extremely inspireing thing on the stage, and it’s the presence of the audience.It is hard to tell you what a huge influence they have on me while we are playing for them. I admit, it’s a sort of exhibitionism. Yes, you can call me an exhibitionist, I am a kind of that – as I had noticed a few years ago. But please don’t take it in the wrong way, it doesn’t mean that I’m one of those clowns. Perhaps (and I hope) you would never lay this title at my door, but I’m still saying that audience makes me crazy of what I’m doing. I mean playing. It is terrificly different to play for somebody, not just for myself. The sight of only one or two half-interested faces among the hundreds is enough, it gives me verification: yes, it’s worth doing it. And I swear, this is a mutual effect. The more eager the band is, the better the mood in the auditorium.

There is an other thing: The Stage.It has a rapturuos athmosphere, a unique one. In a narrow sense: The beating sound of my steps on the floor of planks - which has a feeling of wolking on a shipboard; the warm, glunted or the pearcing, and glaring lights; the panorama... all of these makes me excited. But in a figurative meaning it symbolises the fruit of a great aspiration. It materializes the resut of a learning and rehearsing period. It’s the time of our harvest. Oh, how good it is.

These two uplifting feelings of ease are given, the audience and the stage. But there is one more thing, the fact of responsibility. We alter and sophisticate the taste of the public. After some time they are apt to accept anything, even junk adaptations. Therefore, the musician has to distinguish and represent real values. In my case, folklore is the authentic source, but it's not relevant since the main emphesis is stricty on the genuineness of the performance.

Finally, we have to celebrate the audience for being our audience. Otherwise it doesn't work. Applause for them.