7/3     MP3s of Beethoven Symphonies 6-9 are now available from the
        BBC's Beethoven Experience:
        http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio3/beethoven/downloads.shtml
        \_ Only 128 kbps though.
           \- LvB Advisory: The SFS Beethoven program on July 14 looks good.
              \_ Anyone know how much the sound quality varies in the cheap
                 seats? How is it in those $15 seats behind the orchestra?
                 \_ I've sat in most of the sections in Davies Hall, and I
                    don't think the sound quality varies very much between
                    most of them.  The noteable exceptions are center terrace
                    and side terrace.  Your close proximity to the musicians
                    (especially ones that are highly directional, like the
                    brass instruments) and your position relative to the
                    shell over the stage can make some sections of the symphony
                    sound out of balance with the rest of the symphony.  You
                    may not notice, and even if you do this may not bother
                    you.  The greater variable between the different seating
                    areas in Davies is the view, and for that center and side
                    terrace are unmatched.  I would avoid center terrace
                    because it's general (not assigned) seating, and some of
                    the people who sit there can be really annoying (for
                    example, the woman sitting next to me the last time Yo-Yo
                    Ma appeared with the SF SYmphony, who got drunk at
                    intermission and threw up all over herself and my seat).
                        \-wow, what happened then?  was it a posh woman?
        \_ So the site used to have 1-5 up, did anyone grab them? Can
           you make them available on soda? -bz