Sound of Grating Glass

I congratulate Bernheimer wholeheartedly for the valiant expose of Glass’ latest operatic utterance. I am glad that his comments on Glass’ moronic music accompanied me for breakfast yesterday.

Just to check, once more, the gentleman’s music, I bravely endured the three-hour somnolence that was hailed by many as a new masterpiece. What sad times these are indeed! When even the Met plays the mediocrity game, framed by the splendors provided by a $2-million production, the best thing to do is to abandon ship and retire to an elegant ivory tower, so as to protect the few levels of one’s sanity still left intact.

Bernheimer is a kind of Siegfried in non-heroic times, trying to put some order in a house in total disarray. It does not matter whether they listen to his quest: What is important is that he keep up his unyielding war against mediocrity.

AURELIO DE LA VEGA

Distinguished Professor of Music

Cal State Northridge