I'ev always thought Bernard Haitink one of the most purely musical of conductors. Now he is my hero, too. How I long to give those barbarians who cough and splutter their way through concerts a piece of my mind. Well, Bernard did just that:
Just prior to the hushed cadenza at the end of the third movement, an unfortunate woman in the first row had a sneezing fit. At first Haitink just glared at her. When it continued he turned to her, ever the conductor, and shooed her from the room with both hands. She left.
