IN THE TRADITION

I was dismayed by the lack of equal space given to Maria Newman, Alfred Newman’s daughter, cousin to Randy and sister to Thomas and David Newman (“The Newman Conquests,” by Amy Wallace, March 22). Maria was excluded from the “family portrait” and only mentioned briefly--and incorrectly--in passing as having “no Hollywood ties.”

Maria is a virtuosic violinist/violist/pianist and award-winning composer who is currently scoring Mary Pickford’s silent classic “Daddy Long Legs” on commission from the Mary Pickford Foundation for Timeline Films and Milestone Film and Video.

When Maria is not composing orchestral, choral or chamber music, or on tour with Los Angeles-based Viklarbo Chamber Ensemble, or working in “Hollywood” as a violinist/violist for many “Hollywood” studios, she is opening up the world of classical music to youngsters with her special outreach programs. (Maybe Wallace should attend the next “Design for Sharing” program at UCLA Center for the Performing Arts on April 19.)

RACHEL COHEN

Director, Cadence Arts Network

Cheviot Hills

Pity your piece did not mention the superb score of the 1931 film “Street Scene,” described in film encyclopedias as “classic Alfred Newman.”

I can vividly recall the 1941 film noir “I Wake Up Screaming” wherein Carole Landis, who starred in it with Betty Grable, in the film’s most dramatic scene, moves to the radio as the truly haunting melody that was played throughout becomes louder and louder.

So powerful was the score that from the spellbound audience a male voice, breaking the silence, yelled out, “Don’t shut that off!” In that era, before music and frequently composers received prominent screen credits, it took an inquiry to 20th Century Fox to find out that the musical number was Newman’s “Street Scene” theme.

HAL DENNER

Sherman Oaks