The Sound and the Fury Over KUSC : POINT . . .

“M ore Talk, Less Bach,” last Sunday’s story on KUSC-FM by Patrick Mott, has prompted an outpouring from readers . Those critical of the station’s revamped format outnumbered supporters by more than 2 to 1. A sampling of their views: For classical music lovers, what has happened to KUSC is a calamity. By emphasizing the blather of announcers Bonnie Grice and Tom Crann, and playing far too much dreck, station president Wally Smith has made a double-edged error.

First, he put the spotlight on announcers who, with their inanely casual style, demean the classical repertory. We who love the music do feel that it’s something special, and not to be treated like the latest Madonna single.

But even worse, no matter how good the station’s announcers--KUSC’s Jim Svejda and Gene Parrish are still without peer--I listen to the station to hear music, not the babble of classical music’s version of Mark & Brian. So Wally, you say you “care so much about the future of . . . this music.” All you gotta do is play it, and then get out of the way.

DAN PINE

Studio City