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: Is KUSC dead? No, it’s just comatose. And no one seems to know how to revive the patient. In your article, the non-chatty elitist or the progressive verbalizer were the musical doctors who professed the best modes of treatment. But while the pundits argue, the patient (whether or not it has more listeners) is drifting into oblivion. Perhaps it needs a surgeon who is more interested in the patient than he is in his own methods.

The beauty of music is timeless; its ability to attract interest needs no contemporary context through either cheerleading or mystique. When Leonard Bernstein popularized classical music to a new generation almost 40 years ago, he was successful because his enthusiasm and knowledge were genuine and contagious. It came from his soul--not from championing demographics that showed him the best stylistic approach to improve his audience.

KUSC needs announcers who encourage without coddling or intimidating. They need, perhaps, to remember that their youthful interest was sparked by someone else’s selfless enthusiasm, not by snob appeal or cliquish chitchat.

NICHOLAS JAMES

Los Angeles