Arnold Steinhardt, in his book "Indivisible By Four" that was recently
recommended by Mimi Ezust on this list, relayed the following pre-concert
conversation among the members of the Guarneri String Quartet:

   "Michael says nothing at first.  The poor guy is sick with the flu
   and running a faver.  He is valiantly playing the concert but has no
   excess energy for jokes.  But then he does muster a remark.  "Don't
   forget, the repeat in the Haydn is good."

   "We'll do it," I counter, "but whether it's good is another story."
   "It's a good repeat," David says firmly.  "otherwise, the movement
   is unbalanced." John is quick to add his opinion.  "Unnecessary and
   repetitious."

With that division of opinion on the part of such esteemed musicians, I
guess I can comfortably go to my grave knowing that I have not decided on
the merits of repeats in music.

P.S. The book is good.

Larry Sherwood