Carter celebration concludes

Now that Tanglewood's five-day Elliott Carter bash is over, what can be said about it? At times, it had the air of a revival meeting, calling on unbelievers to repent.

[Christian Carey]

Dear Mr. Pincus,

I'm sorry that you didn't enjoy the Elliott Carter festival. It would appear that you were one of the only members of the press reviewing the concert who didn't appreciate his work. And it seemed that most of the audience, which included a hefty number of people new to contemporary music, got more out of it than you. I couldn't disagree more with your perspective on the festival.

Sincerely,

Christian Carey
Rider University

[Joe Barron]

Oh, come on. No lived experience? No emotion? Nothing "in" it? Our experiences are so different that I wonder I wonder if you heard the same music I did. After the those ten euphoria-inducing festival concerts, your agnosticism leaves me cold and unsympathetic. Ironically, my reaction to your critique is the same as your reaction to Carter's music: I can understand it on an intellectual level, I suppose, but I just cannot connect with it. When the festival was over, I felt a little full and worn out, perhaps, but I was in much too good a mood to entertain doubts. I still am. You appear to be a man of good faith: I would hope you would at least admit the genuineness of the love Carter's fans bear for his music.