ENGLISH MUSIC

Thank you, Don Ogren, for pointing out Mitsuko Uchida’s lack of regard for English composers beyond Purcell and Elgar and reminding her of Arne, Vaughan Williams, Arnold and Britten (Letters, May 31). May I add to the roster Thomas Tallis (among several English Renaissance composers of the front rank), Arthur Sullivan, Arthur Bliss, Constant Lambert, Gustav Holst and William Walton.

The English musical landscape was not so barren as to deter Haydn, Mozart, Clementi, Mendelssohn and Chopin from spending significant periods working there. George Handel, of whom Beethoven said, “He is above us all,” worked in London for the major part of his life.

Yes, there was a well-pointed-out dry spell between Purcell and Elgar, but then Japan wasn’t exactly awash with pianists during the same period.

WILLIAM MALCOMSON

Glendale