Consider this example...
How long do you have to take a breath?? Over two measures, right? Why do so many people try to breathe in the space of the eighth note?
Yes, it's good to be able to breathe quickly when you have to but lets not make things more gaspy than needed.
On a related note, I think everyone agrees about the value of a quiet breath. However, what about a cue breath in chamber music? I sometimes use a technique I call 'finishing with a kick.'
I start with that slower, relaxed breath. At the end of the breath, my 'kick' is a louder inhalation in time with the music in order to cue the others.
(yes this is a pseudo Ewazen quote)
