Jeff Dunn wrote: >What music should memorialize 9/11, a day that invokes thoughts, memories, >and emotions that are many and frightening, mournful and angry, incompatible >and coexisting? Not too long ago I thought to myself that in times of tragic events, more seem to find meaning in art music than in popular music. As I recall, after those tragic days the attendance at classical music concerts rose...but only for a time. For me, it seems that is part of the blessing of art music and yet, in some ways, it is its curse. Art music might touch parts of our spirit that we might not like to always explore. As for the suggested programming...I am reminded of the 4th of July when we play the 1812 Overture by Tchaikovsky...especially sad when there are so many great patriotic American works. Since mention was made of the John Adams work...I can only say that I found it soporific and almost meaningless, as it did not engage either my mind or my spirit. As I reflect on his work these last few years, I find it empty, yet his early works seemed to have such promise. There are so many fine American works that could be seen as appropriate: Canning: Fantasy on the theme by Justin Morgan Jones: Let us now praise famous men DelloJoio: To a lone Sentry Herrmann: For the Fallen Still: In memorium Copland: Letter from Home Schuman: Prayer in Time of War; To thee old cause Foss: Ode Hanson: Lux Aeterna; Sinfonia Sacra (No.5) Moore: In Memorium Barrymore: In Memorium (yes, Lionel Barrymore the actor...who was a decent composer) Levant: Dirge (a very moving piece) Hovhaness: Many of his works Rosner: Many of his works Piston: Symphonic Prelude Bernstein: Chichester Psalms Persichetti: Introit for strings Harris: Epilogue to Profiles in Courage etc. I guess, when it comes to our own art in the US, we still have such an inferiority complex. Karl