James Kearney <[log in to unmask]> writes eloquently of his passage of experience with Berlioz. I confess Berlioz was not one of my favorite composer (indeed, there was a long time when I didn't like anything he composed), but after the discovery, performance, and distribution of his Messe Solennelle by Gardiner on the Philips' label, I began to reevaluate his work. It took a long time to find a Symphonie fantasique that I actually liked (Andre Previn's on EMI's budget label double forte is a winner), but gradually his work gripped me. The Enfance d'Christ, Requiem, and other choral works, together with his symphonic works, has gradually become one of my primary sources for inspiration and pleasure. Anyone who has had a difficult time making Berlioz's acquaintance can rest assured that one day he'll captivate you too. Stephen Heersink San Francisco http://home.att.net/~dshsfca/