UNCOVERING THE OSCARS

Thank God for composer Samuel Barber.

Permeation through my living room of the haunting strains of his 50-year-old classic, “Adagio for Strings,” at each “Platoon” salvo, salvaged an otherwise artless Oscar evening.

My vote for serendipitous highlight of the night goes to that late American composer. Wouldn’t he be surprised?

FRANK L. BURKE

Los Angeles