Tom Connor wrote:

>...  I can be very intolerant of some performances based on the
>imprint I've received from past listening.  But I've also found there are
>performances that in comparison to what has been imprinted become more
>exciting.  It goes both ways.  My own experience has been good performances
>can be enjoyed, and as familiarity grows, the subtlety of performances
>increases.

What Tom is describing here is another manifestation of the Pavlov's dogs
phenomenon I described in a recent posting.

Here prior experience conditions anticipation and hence affects response.
We don't accept new things readily but at the same time they make sit up
and take note.  The result is either "wow what a fantastic version of this
work" or damning condemnation.

Bob Draper
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