This is the First time I've written a message to a "group"; so I hope I do Not "Mess Up" too badly??. 1. Who that is alive today KNOWS @ what speed JS Bach and his Musos could have wished to and DID play the works?? 2. "Urban Myth" suggests that when the Margrave of Brandenberg received the Concerti, he popped them in a safe place, and they were Never performed @ all?? 3. The Metronome is, I am Very Certain, a Lot later an Invention; so JSBach would NOT have been able to Specify in the Scores:- Crochet = 100??. 4. The Richard Strauss "story" is interesting as he lived into the start of Recordings and "Low Tech":- one of his shorter works was very popular, and many Orchestras and Conductors were "doing" it. None was anywhere close to the same number of Minutes @ All; then Richard recorded the Slowest Version & he did NOT "know"; he had Metronomes, Play Backs, etc.. So Does the Conductor/ Composer conduct the "definitive" version?? Was Gustav Mahler the Only Living "definitive" Conductor of His own Works?? Was Gustav "Sane"? Lots of "people" thought NOT?? Does being a Composer make one a Good Conductor @ all; let alone of one's Own works?? 5. What would JSBach make of "Musos" who are full time "professionals" who actually take an "interest" in improving their "work"; and get paid Salaries?? Berlioz's "Musos" used to send in a 3rd (?) Class "substitute" if they did Not like the Music to be played = Particularly His!! They almost abhorred Him the Conductor, and Him the Composer, too!! 6. Eugene Ormandy's/Bach or Stokowski's; Elgar's/ Handel; Respighi's/C16th Lute Pieces?? WHAT "IS" A MUSICAL BAROQUE "PURE RENDITION"?? I am sure I have NEVER heard what JSBach wrote, and @ 60 I do Not expect that I will?? Comments, ANYONE??. BILL(Y).