Different Tunes on Orchestra

* I commend you on your excellent and thorough reporting of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra’s open policy of exclusion of women and minorities.

In The Times’ numerous articles, and through my own conversations with several people in high positions connected with the orchestra, I have repeatedly heard the words “homogeneity,” “tradition” and “excellence” when they so passionately attempted to defend the orchestra’s sexual discrimination policy, while of course not condoning discrimination in any form!

Discrimination is discrimination, pure and simple, and any attempts to in any way justify it are an absolute disgrace and outrage.

Had the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra had an open policy of anti-Semitism, I think the international community would rightfully be outraged and the Philharmonic Society of Orange County would certainly never have invited them to perform at the Performing Arts Center.

However, open discrimination toward women and minorities somehow doesn’t deserve the same outrage, at home or abroad. The Philharmonic Society of Orange County’s quiet acquiescence of sexual discrimination by their invited orchestra is an absolute disgrace.

It is the personal responsibility (a word much out of vogue these days) of each and every member of a free democratic society to speak out against activities which are morally wrong and openly discriminate. I would think that a nation such as Austria, with its history, would be painfully aware of this. Doesn’t the democratic nation of Austria have any antidiscrimination laws?

ROSEMARY MONTES

Coto de Caza

* The decision by the South Orange County chapter of the National Organization for Women to picket the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra’s Orange County performance was just plain silly.

NOW called the protest even though it was fully aware that the philharmonic had recently adopted a policy admitting women and, in fact, had just granted membership to a female harpist. It seems as if the folks at NOW should find something more productive to do with their time.

DANIEL BAREN

Newport Beach

* Shame on music critic Mark Swed and The Times for referring to the protesters as a “motley crew.” I drove by the Orange County Performing Arts Center and only saw a well-organized, mature group of dedicated people objecting to the performance in the United States of a bunch of white male bigots. An apology is in order.

HY ALGAZI

Corona del Mar