I went to an unusual concert last night: the complete string quartets of Elliott Carter (5 of them), performed by the Pacifica Quartet. This was three hours, with two brief intermissions. I didn't enjoy the music; neither did I dislike it. It didn't all sound the same, but it _felt_ the same. I keep wanting to use words like "angst," "anger," "alienation." Yet I don't think these are the right ones. I didn't feel angry or alienated when I left. I'm not sure that I really felt _anything_. From the program notes to #2: "In it the four instruments are individualized, each being given its own character embodied in a special set of melodic and harmonic intervals and of rhythms that result in four different patterns of slow and fast tempi with associated types of expression. Thus, four different strands of musical material of contrasting character are developed simultaneously throughout the work. It is out of the intereactions, combinations, cooperations, and oppositions of these that the details of musical discourse as well as the large sections are built." Well, okay, I'm down with that. But halfway through this concert, I went on autopilot. 24 hours later, I've got some visual and intellectual impressions, but none of the music is bouncing around in my brain. I was favorably disposed toward the musicians. Two of them came out for the pre-concert talk (which brought the evening out to four hours!), and were obviously aware, cognitive, and totally committed to what they were doing. During what must have been a marathon for them, all four kept their composure and considerable stage presence, and didn't seem the slightest bit discouraged to be playing for 80 people, probably half of whom became invisible as the night went on. I guess what I want from this List is some contrasting opinions. (Of course, being affirmed that I really am a good person would be OK, too <grin>.) Have Listers listened to these string quartets and gotten something out of them? Is the formal exercise -- the setting up of interesting technical challenges -- what's "there?" Have you picked up on a resonance behind the veils of this unfamiliar soundscape? Eddie