Thank you for all of your responses. It's been a learning experience.

I am aware that atonal or 12 tone music has been around for many many
years.  I am also aware that there is much tonal music written in this
and in the past century, and there is much that I like.  My question,
perhaps poorly phrased, is what is it that causes many of you to find
12 tone music gratifying?  So many of you have responded admirably.

Old cliches such as "beauty is in the eye of the beholder" applies here,
doesn't it?  Mr. Chasen states, "there is a difference between beautiful
music and expressive music", and I believe he goes onto say that some
music can have both qualities.  Perhaps I don't quite understand, but
if a piece of music succeeds in being expressive, then to me it is also
beautiful.

To Mr. Clark and Mr. Dunn I give an apology.  My statement, "today's
disharmonic stuff", was improperly phrased.  I should have said,
"disharmonic or atonal music whether played either 70 years ago or today".

To Mr. Miller I used the term "serious" rather than the more generic
term "classical".  I seems you knew what I meant.  Your suggestion on
the Kirchner work sounds interesting.  I am looking forward to trying
your experiment.

And finally to Mr. Schwartz, I in no way think of Niagara Falls as
beautiful in the same manner as a Faberge box.  When I look at Niagara
Falls or at The Grand Canyon, I see majesty.  Therefore I see its beauty.
As I look at the Faberge box, I see it's delicacy and detail, and it too
is beautiful.  My definition of beauty I extend more broadly, and I hope
we can agree on that.

Thanks again for all your helpful input.

Ed Beach

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