Sir, – Sally Sweeney (October 19th) is quite correct; the standing ovation should be reserved for such high-quality performances as that given by The Sixteen just over a week ago in Dublin of Monteverdi's Vespers. Only when one is truly uplifted should one stand! – Yours, etc,
ELLDON FREELAND,
Waterford.
Sir, – By and large I agree with the comments of Sally Sweeney about indiscriminate standing ovations for good but not exceptional performances.
However sometimes our "sheep-like" tendencies can work the other way. I have loved Brahms for most of my adult life and in particular his Piano Concerto No 2. I had the good fortune to be at the National Concert Hall on October 9th when it was played with superb assurance, technical brilliance and sensitive gradations of feeling from beginning to end.
I was enraptured by the playing of Alexei Volodin within five seconds of listening to him. I apologise to him for my cowardice in not standing for him at the end. I hope he will return to Dublin in the near future in order that I may make amends. – Yours, etc,
Dr GERALD MORGAN,
Dublin 2.