Terence, this is a tricky subject. I know that many other people share your view, which is why I generally try to mention, when I write a review of a live performance, if there's applause at the end - or, indeed, other extraneous noise. On this occasion, I felt the retention of the applause was appropriate. On the other hand, there's a shattering live account of Mahler's Sixth conducted by Tennstedt where the hushed ending is wrecked by an idiot who immediately shouts 'bravo'.

Personally, I approach the applause question on a case-by-case basis but I completely take your point.