MUSIC DEBATE

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP75-00001R000400010015-7
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 1
• Document Creation Date: November 16, 2016
• Document Release Date: April 26, 2000
• Sequence Number: 15
• Content Type: NSPR

Approved For Rel
Lette
/" "MUSIC DEBATE '
TO THE EDITOR:
May I add a bit to the de-
bate stirred by your recent
debate on modern niusjc-
"Modern Music : 'A Dead Art
by Henry Pleasants and "Mod-
ern Music : 'Fresh and Dif-
ferent' ..by Aaron cople,nd
(March 13) ?
Mr. Pleasants, in his inter-
esting and provocative article,
advances the theory that "mod-
ern music is performed be-
cause performers, recording
companies and, to a consider-
able extent, serious music audi-
ences believe that they owe
the composer a hearing." If
this is true, then at least one
of the artistic inequities of our
times is solved. However, I
am of the opinion that the
opposite is more often true; I
think there are many talented
composers who .do not receive.
a hearing because of the pies-
se 2000/05/24: CIA-RDP75-00001 RO
cures endemic in the music
business. It is to be hoped
in t>ze future that all compos-
er's W1I1, at leas%, be allowed
Further,' the artist, if he
aware, acknowledges that his
only debt is to the public who
pay to see or hear him per-
form. If, by chance, the work
he performs is by a new and
unknown musician, there is
great satisfaction to be gleaned
from the introduction of a
fresh talent to a receptive
audience. JAN PEERCE.
New Rochelle, N. Y.
Approved For Release 2000/05/24: CIA-RDP75-00001 R000400010015-7