The Nightingale's Encores

By Thomas Wolf

Almost two years ago, I posted a blog about encores. Encores, of course, are those musical pieces that are played after the announced program is completed. Performances of encores are in response to enthusiastic and extended applause and the unwillingness of audiences to depart without hearing more music.

As I was growing up, programs with encores were common—in fact, it was unusual to go to a recital or even some orchestra concerts that featured distinguished soloists, when one didn’t get treated to at least one encore. Sometimes several. Today, it seems, audiences can’t wait to get home and are not in the mood for more music.

As a consequence, much of the extraordinary repertoire that used to be a staple of encores is no longer heard. And what a loss. These pieces, generally short and often brilliant, were for some audience members the most eagerly awaited part of a concert. Audiences would clamor for them. And sometimes instead of one or two, there might be five or six. My grandmother, the violinist Lea Luboshutz, played eleven when she made her New York debut in 1907!

When I asked people at the end of my blog a couple of years ago to suggest their favorite encores, I was surprised that many were stumped. They didn’t know any. From some, I received an unexpected request:

“Why don’t you arrange a program made up entirely of encores and introduce us not only to the music you think is so wonderful but, at the same time, feature some terrific musicians from the younger generation!”

“The Nightingale’s Encores” performance in Camden, Maine, August 9, 2025. Left to right: Thomas Wolf (author and narrator), Henry Kramer (pianist), YooJin Jang (violinist). (Photo courtesy of WolfBrown.)

And that is precisely what I have done. Last summer, I launched a program called “Nightingale’s Encores” with violinist Yoojin Jang and pianist, Henry Kramer—two terrific performers who loved the challenge of playing great encores. I introduced each piece with a background story and with historical photographs, recounting the role each played in my musical family’s history. So here, without further ado, is a video of that program, "The Nightingale's Encores.". Enjoy.