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Fix what’s Baroque

Sat., March 5, 2011

Spokane is having a Bach festival again. Good! We need reminders of one of the early greats of musical history. But I think we must distinguish between those who were great in musical history, way back, and those whose music entertains us today.

I speak as one who went to last year’s Bach festival (at a high price!). An admirer of Mozart and Beethoven, I wanted to give Bach a fair hearing. But I left at the intermission; only one piece, in my opinion, had been worth my attendance.

I’m sure the Bach festival will be successful (in spite of my letter!), and I wish it well. Just as we used to take aspirin and castor oil for our ailments, we probably need Bach to get ready for true musical enjoyment, as in Mozart, Beethoven, Brahms and others.

Howard Redmond

Spokane

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