I see now that in the heat of the moment (when I tragically just "lost" the Mahler Ninth at the very end), I spoke in a murky manner exceeding my usual murkth. After a lifetime of relishing and advocating live performances (with occasional barbs at the CD-only crowd), it's highly unlikely that I would suggest abolishing the concerthall. What I said was that the Mahler Ninth (especially the finale) is simply too fragile to survive distractions... for me. There were contrary statements, including Josh Kosman's review in the SF Chronicle, about successful ways of overcoming the noise, focussing on the music. This is something I have done many times myself in the past, and expect to continue in the future. The exception I made, and will continue to make, is for the Ninth only. I simply cannot anticipate and dread the mood-breaking, music-killing noise for *this* work. Otherwise, let a hundred concerts bloom and may we all overcome the many sounds encroaching on the music. And now, if you pardon me, I will even turn off *both* my cell phone and pager! Janos Gereben/SF [log in to unmask]