SHOOTOUT AT THE MASTER CHORALE

I take tremendous umbrage with several implications made in Donna Perlmutter’s article regarding the quality and competency of “contenders,” myself included, for the position of Director, Los Angeles Master Chorale.

If, as she stated, the Board was not satisfied with the other candidates, why was I approached by the Chorale Board and Search Committee in October of 1984 and requested to consider assuming the Directorship of the Master Chorale for the ‘86-’87 season, thereby allowing them ample time to search for a permanent conductor, and accorded the proviso that I would also be considered as a prime candidate.

Last January, I was asked by Robert Willoughby Jones to take on the responsibilities of preparing the Chorale for their concerts with the Philharmonic for the ‘85-’86 season. It so happened that the Chorale/Philharmonic schedule, when placed on a calendar with my own professional commitments, indicated such overwhelming constraints on my time that I had to decline the offer.

Also, one week before his trip to Edinburgh to observe Wagner’s successor (John Currie), board member William Triplett inquired regarding my feelings with respect to the original offer of interim directorship.

Without specifically declining, I indicated that I was not anxious to abandon my educational commitments at Loyola Marymount University nor did I relish the prospect of being involved in the politics which have characterized the relationship between the Chorale and the executive leadership of the Philharmonic.

PAUL SALAMUNOVICH

North Hollywood