Missing a Beat on Tempo

Regarding your article concerning the availability of classical-music recordings in Orange County (“Bach to Basics,” Dec. 14), Times staff writer Randy Lewis wrote a very informative article citing many facts and figures on where one could find (or not find) their favorite classical recordings.

Many points made in the article were very well researched, but the last paragraph contained quite a bit of misinformation:

“The onetime pride of Orange County independent record retailers, Music Market in Costa Mesa, has fallen considerably, especially in its now-skeletal classical section, since operators filed for reorganization under Chapter 11 bankruptcy provisions.”

On July 1, 1991, Music Market was sold to Tempo Music & Video, a 13-store retail chain in Southern California. Tempo’s Music Market has been given a complete overhaul: a newly remodeled interior, a complete restocking of compact discs and cassettes in all musical categories (new and used), lower prices, listening booths to preview new releases, a big screen “movie theater” to watch concert films or music videos, a wonderful selection of laser discs and more. We also offer one of the best special-order services around at no additional charge.

Alan Charlton, the store’s classical buyer of nine years, feels that the classical section is the best it has been in more than a year. He is also in the process of expanding the section in great depth. . . .

Tempo’s Music Market not only offers a selection of new classical compact discs and cassettes, but also a good selection of used classical compact discs, cassettes and yes, even vinyl. CD players and headphones are provided so customers can listen to the used classical CDs before purchasing them.

In addition, not only can Tempo’s Music Market customers take home classical music to listen to, they can also purchase their favorite classical music to watch from our selection of laser discs and videos.

We invite Mr. Lewis to come in and browse. There is no question in our minds that he will once again feel proud of our classical selection.

BRETT ORTONE

Director of Retail Operations,

Tempo Music & Video

Randy Lewis replies: The survey was conducted over several months. At the time I visited Music Market, its classical music selection was extremely limited, thus it was not included in our chart of the best-stocked classical CD stores in Orange County.