Thanks to Mitch for posting the link to the slate article. It seems to me that the article overlooked a classic- and well known- retort by Brahms. I've heard that a review of Brahms' First Symphony contained the criticism that the work owed rather much to Beethoven. Brahms reportedly replied, with understandable irritation, "Well any fool could see that". For those who might question my credentials as an authority on Brahms, I offer the following link: http://books.guardian.co.uk/comment/story/0,16488,1648818,00.html Larry Sherwood