"John G. Deacon" wrote: >Under the heading "The great escape" the following letter, from one of the >UK's foremost writers and critics, appeared in today's Daily Telegraph. > >It was with a great sense of relief... cancellation... Birtwistle's >Gawain ... Hundreds of children have had a narrow escape.... dreadful >piece...put off the art of opera for life." Couple of points in the discussion--it appears that Birtwhistle's music appeals only to a relatively few fans, and its inclusion on the program may have been politically motivated. That's reason enough to cancel the program. Next point--I agree that young ears MAY be more receptive; however my take on much atonal music is that you at least understand it better if you have a broad musical background to start with. The fact is that we on the whole do not introduce complex atonal music to our children even when we cultivate a taste for it. All those who have abandoned tonal music for an exclusive diet of atonal and 12-tone music, stand up and be counted! How many grade school kids do you know who compose atonal music? Or sing it? I think you interest people in it AFTER they've committed to serious musical study. When I see otherwise happening I will change my opinion on this. I don't know and will not speak to Birtwhistle's music, but crap is crap, and you don't need a lot of music training to tell the difference. Just a little maturity in general. That's why they do need some informed adult guidance in certain matters. Chris Bonds