Concert Review Unfairly Harsh

To the editors:

It seems that Jonathan Hanover brought the wrong mindset and pair of ears to the March 19 Mozart Society Orchestra concert (“Bartosik Shines in MSO,” Arts, Mar. 21). While I appreciate his abilities to discern intonation and ensemble problems, the relentless disparaging of the orchestra’s performance was not only unrepresentative of the evening but also undermined individual musicians’ hard work and the entire ensemble’s pride in the organization. The MSO provided a powerful and exciting performance of a very substantial program. There were technical problems as in any live performance, but not nearly enough to mar the fantastic performance of Nora I. Bartosik ’08. Technical proficiency does not move a soul, but the passion and thoughtfulness with which the MSO executed all three pieces touched many listeners that evening.

A review should indicate how rich an arts community is and not how knowledgeable a reporter is about intonation, ensemble, or finer points of brass playing. I ask that future Crimson reporters review concerts with a wider perspective. Your words have consequences, and your publication has a responsibility to the Harvard arts community at large.

AKIKO FUJIMOTO

Cambridge, Mass.

March 21, 2005

The writer is Music Director of the Mozart Society Orchestra.