19 JUNE 1959, Page 24

FESTIVAL HALL AUDIENCES SIR,—Now it is time for David Cairns's

comments on the degeneration of Festival Hall audiences.

Last Thursday Cziffra was clapped into an un- fortunate encore—a repeat of the conclusion of the Liszt Fantasia. Because he did not appear yet again, the applause changed to slow hand-clapping and jeering. Had not Giulini bravely continued with the programme, the mob would have been screaming for the Hungarian's blood. It was embarrassing. It was puerile.—Yotirs faithfully,

C. A. THOMAS 6 Honiton House. Warner Road, SE5