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Half an hour later, with the cathedral more brightly lit for the sake of photographers, Stravinsky led the work again, but most of the audience was left with the same question as before: What does it mean? The critics were no help, uttering such phrases as "strange disorientation," "mystifying decadence," "exasperating." But loyal Stravinsky disciples stood in awe of the old man's creative energy. Later, as the composer was wolfing down a hearty Italian meal at a cafe, somebody asked him why he wrote in the twelve-tone system. "Who says it's twelve-tone?" Stravinsky snapped. "In a few years people will not care whether it's twelve, 16, or 24, or any other number. They will understand."