A Different Symphony

In an otherwise generous and percipient review, Mark Swed observes that the La Jolla Symphony Orchestra “is mostly amateur and sounds it” (“Shankar’s Daughter Revives Sitar Work,” Dec. 14).

Although probably not meant in this way, I choose to interpret his statement as a tribute to the deep passion for and love of music that animates the members of this extraordinary group: After all, how many orchestras with a players’ budget of $11,000 per year take on Stravinsky’s “Rite of Spring”? Implicitly at issue here, too, is whether classical music in our country is to be the exclusive preserve of a few virtuoso orchestras playing for big-city audiences and CD connoisseurs, or whether this music can be a living and vital force at the neighborhood and community level.

With all due respect to the big boys (and girls) of the orchestra world, the La Jolla Symphony affirms the importance of continued lively and high-quality music-making--right in its own backyard.

HARVEY SOLLBERGER

Music Director

La Jolla Symphony & Chorus