Miguel Muelle: >I wonder how those who play in the orchestras feel about this. Do they >really appreciate being ovated (?) every time? Would they like to see >some discernment and control, so that when people leap to their feet (as >I have done on some occasions) it truly means something? Well, I live in New Orleans. It so happens I went to a pretty good concert last night -- Weber Oberon Overture, Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto No. 2, and Beethoven Symphony No. 4. Stefan Sanderling (Kurt's boy) conducted. It was a good concert, but not outstanding. Standing ovations for the Tchaikovsky and for the Beethoven. I stayed put. The orchestra members seemed happy to get the attention. Now, a couple of weeks ago, Elmar Oliveira and Klauspeter Seibel did a fantastic Brahms Violin Concerto -- one of the best I've heard (and, thanks to the hurricane, on only one rehearsal). You bet I was on my feet. On the other hand, the Cleveland Orchestra, which very likely has its fair share of great performances, doesn't get a standing O as a matter of audience habit. I've sometimes been the only one standing. But then, we Midwesterners are rather reserved, and Clevelanders have become accustomed to a very, very high standard. The audience is content to remain sitting and to glow with quiet pride. Steve Schwartz