Classical concerts have their own rhythm and their own rituals. As WNYC’s Sara Fishko tells us, one of them is the encore.

"Encore" comes from the French word meaning “again," and may have originated spontaneously -- perhaps from audiences demanding more at the end of a concert.  

Indeed, it’s always a treat to have an artist play something extra at the end of a concert. But encores weren’t always in this spot. In earlier times they were more like a kind of instant replay – a favorite operatic aria, or a favorite section of the music would be played again for the amusement of the audience, sometimes right in the middle of the concert.

Hilary Hahn's upcoming performances, featuring her winning encore submissions

More info...

Special thanks to the 92^nd Street Y, which provided the live recording of Marc-André Hamelin's concert. 

WNYC Production Credits...

Mix Engineer: Paul Schneider

Associate Producer: Laura Mayer

Managing Editor, WNYC News: Karen Frillmann