Don Satz wrote: >John Proffitt wrote: > >>Performance Today is a major investment in the future of classical >>music in this country, by any estimation. Two hours of commentary, >>features and--most of all--recorded musical performances from >>concert halls around the country. > >Great sales pitch. I'll make a large contribution on Monday. I see no need for this snide remark. John's statements above, whatever you may think of the content of the show, are for the most part facts. If you have a problem with one of these facts, please confine your response to those facts. >Performance Today is not, in my mind, a major investment or "major" in any >respect. Two hours per day? Big deal. Big deal? I'm afraid you'll have to be more specific. Is this too short or too long? Does Performance Today pale in comparison with your favorite news magazine devoted to classical music? Is there another news magazine devoted to classical music? Ever tried to produce a show of any kind 14 hours a week every week of the year? Do you really have any idea what you are writing about? I see little evidence of it in your posts, on this or other topics. Gut reactions and off-the-cuff remarks are OK as far as they go, but you have to realize that continuing to apply these same methods to every topic you post on is not likely to engender a great deal of confidence in your opinions or judgements. >Perhaps John, who routinely lets us know that he's connected with the >world of broadcasting, is displaying a little bias. And you continually and routinely remind us that you are in "management". So what? At least John is posting about something he knows intimately. You would also do well to avoid taking pot shots at the vocations of others, and further I advise that reading minds over the Internet is a risky business. But then, perhaps I'm biased too. I once appeared on the show on a short segment discussing Internet resources for classical music lovers. In my experience, Ben Roe (charter member of this list, BTW), the producer of PT, and Martin Goldsmith, the host, were consummate professionals. They perform a service, and the music world would be much poorer if we had to do without. PT doesn't have a lot to offer hardcore CD collectors - they tend to concentrate on the broader, more popular topics, music, recordings, etc. - but I for one believe they do have a great deal to offer those enthusiastic about classical music in general. There are a great many legitimate bases for criticizing the show, but in lieu of an alternative I don't see any wisdom in simple, knee-jerk bashing. Or perhaps this was just another childish attempt to "provoke" discussion. I think I speak for a lot of people when I say I've pretty much lost patience with those tactics. Dave [log in to unmask] http://www.classical.net/