Dear Mr. Paquin, although I can understand the frustrations you expressed,
I don't think you fully understand the reasons for these acts of "senseless
coughing".  In fact, if you think about the reasons of why most people
do anything it's for recognition and attention.  You see, many of us live
such boring and mundane lives that our "15 minutes of fame" may only be an
auditory distraction recorded with crystal clear clarity and preserved for
eternity to annoy countless future generations.  I would love the chance to
attend an Argerich, Kissin or Zimerman concert that I knew beforehand would
be recorded.  I could leave my contribution to the recording and beam
proudly when- many years from now- I point out my guttural expulsions to my
grandchildren.  In fact, given sufficient alcohol and burritos, I would be
proud to puncuate a sublime moment in the concert with a gastrointestinal
exclamation mark.  If I lived in your world, I suppose I should be worried
about snipers shooting me through my throat or in the latter case, ripping
me a new...well, never mind.

The point is, I rather enjoy hearing the rustle, occasional coughing and
applause in live recordings.  It gives me a sense of ambience and adds to-
instead of taking away from- live recordings.  I'll agree gratuitous and
excessive coughing, belching...and yes, farting can be annoying but for
those of us who can't stifle these biological emissions, excuse us!

Marcus Kim