Glass’ Minimalism

An axiom has it that every generation discovers the world anew, a thought that crossed my mind while reading the recent interview with Philip Glass wherein he mentioned that he “rediscovered” melodrama.

I don’t suppose it has occurred to the vilifiers of Martin Bernheimer that the ennui engendered by Glass’ “1000 Airplanes on the Roof” may have been justifiable (Saturday Letters, Nov. 12).

Anyone with a keen ear connected to an active mind will be put to sleep by the current vogue of minimalism. It’s as if the toccata preceding Monteverdi’s “Orfeo” or the opening moments of “Das Rheingold” never happened.

But let’s not be too harsh on this currently fashionable artistic form of navel meditation; after all, the arts are supposed to reflect the era of their origin, and this “dumbing down” of music goes in lock step with many recent developments, particularly the manner in which we select those who hold the highest offices in our land.

J. S. KLEINSASSER

Bakersfield