These, from Steven Hicken of Listen:

I found that putting app. timings of works on the program when I directed a new music ensemble was very helpful to the audience. If the style is unfamiliar, an idea of the scale of a piece can help an audience get in to the piece. The intro to Mahler 1 lets the audience know they are in for a long piece. In a Modern style, that pace might apply to a short piece. I’m all about helping an audience get into a piece any way I can, short of compromising the piece itself.

So there you go. A good explanation. Thanks, Steve, for IMing me and taking the time to chat!

Steve also commented on not being able to leave comments. Hmmm. I guess that you have to be a “member” to do so. I’ll see if I can get that changed. (Which means I’ll see if my husband can get that changed!)
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