I wrote that I listen to music throughout my day while I do various chores. John Dalmas misunderstood me when he wrote: >Sounds like my wife. She can also listen to classical music while talking >on the telephone. One night last week she listened to most of Mahler's >Ninth (Levine) while talking on the phone ... > >My wife can also listen to two compositions at the same time. >Well, both you guys have it all over me, or maybe I just don't get it. Notice, please that EVERY activity *I* mentioned before (except the score reading) involved the music, and some sort of busywork for my hands. I cannot listen to two things at once unless we are talking about polyphonic music in a single composition. I cannot have a conversation and listen to music at the same time and do justice to both activities: for me it must be either one or the other. I can't READ while listening to music, either. Of course, some classical music was meant to be table music or background music. It makes a very pleasant atmosphere. Other music requires my full attention. If I am in a bookstore and they play a Mozart viola quintet (for example), I just can't continue to shop. I must stand next to the nearest speaker and hear the entire piece. My original message was written in response to another poster who advocated saving music for special occasions. I disagree. I listen to music as much as possible and it MAKES my life a special occasion. Mimi Ezust