Nick Jones speaks eloquently and concludes: >I wouldn't go so far as to encourage inter-movement applause in print, >but if others are bursting with enthusiasm, then the *least* the >performers can do is smile and nod their thanks. But what about the concentration of the artist? Shouldn't this be respected as well? If a pianist is deeply engrossed in not only the technical challenges but the mood s/he is creating in a difficult piano concerto, is it a favor to break this concentration with applause then expect the soloist graciously to smile and nod thanks? I don't really know the answer -- perhaps the show of appreciation helps the soloist understand that the audience is with him/her. However, is generally seems to me that the scowls I see, not just from soloists but from orchestra members when a work is interrupted by applause, indicate that they mind the interruption. Jane Erb