Future Shock

Apropos Mark Swed’s euphemistic financial and artistic assessment of our major symphony orchestras, and the apparent shortage of skilled conductors to helm them, there should not be any mystery as to why this has been occurring (“As Symphonies Set in the East ...” Dec. 9). When you do not have cultivation and rejuvenation in any given field, you have atrophy.

Our symphony orchestras are for the most part run like affluent country clubs and medieval citadels by more people than the 110 musicians that should make up any acceptable symphony orchestra.

Additionally, the reason for spiraling costs, declining per capita attendance and other artistic exacerbations is simply that the United States has risen into the third most populated country in the world behind China and India. By the year 2020, if our current burgeoning domestic birth rate continues, the United States will add the equivalent of all the population of our 100 most populous cities.

However, have no fear. By 2045, everyone will be able to procure computerized audio and visual helmets that will measure desired creative brain waves, thereby allowing any person to instantly create or perform any musical composition or motion picture they wish for any combination of themes, instruments or symphony orchestras without even having to attend music or film school, let alone having to purchase tickets.

PHILLIP LAMBRO

Los Angeles