Listening to Mozart

In response to your editorial “Mostly Mozart” (Oct. 18), and in response to many similar articles written on our finding linking Mozart to a temporary improvement in spatial reasoning ability, we feel it necessary to clarify an important point. Strictly speaking our study tested only three sound patterns: silence, a talking voice and Mozart. Because of this, it is impossible at this juncture to make any claims as to the effects of any other type of music. We do hope however to explore the potential effects of other music in future, expanded studies.

I have been quoted out of context with regard to my prediction on the potential deleterious effect of “repetitive music.” The prediction, as it stands, is grounded in the neurophysiological concept of habituation, the phenomenon of a dulled biological response due to high physical repetition. Many members of the media, though, have taken “repetitive music” to mean whatever music it is popular to criticize. We think it’s premature to identify any particular genre.

Incidentally, I’m a big fan of both Mozart and Nirvana--and I’ve danced to both.

FRANCES RAUSCHER

UC Irvine

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According to your article, “Classical Music May Raise IQ” (Oct. 14), my 2-year-old grandson should soon be able to read the article himself.

Jimmy sings and identifies by name, and composer photograph, themes by Bach, Beethoven, Bizet, Brahms, Handel, Haydn, Mozart, Schubert and Wagner. He has 10 other composers on the tip of his tongue . . . including Gershwin and Tschaikowsky.

Just to balance things out, Jimmy was already an expert on Jim Morrison’s repertoire before he took up the classics.

MARGUERITE CROMIE

North Hollywood

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Regarding your Mozart editorial: Can’t dance to Mozart? Indeed, much of Mozart’s music--and that of other so-called classical composers--is dance music. Just not late-20th-Century whump-whump dance music. Check your history!

RON WAKEFIELD

San Diego