VILLA PARK–Enclosed is a copy of the article under “Rewind” that appeared in the Chicago Tribune on Jan. 9. I enjoyed the article immensely as it brought back vivid memories of the incident cited in the article when the misplaced Handel sonata was “rescued when a gallery student with a score came to the rescue.” That gallery student was myself, then an aspiring 25-year-old Northwestern University violin major, who had come prepared to follow the score at that evening’s performance.
The response from the audience was overwhelming as I rushed down to produce the score so that the concert could proceed. Following the performance, I went backstage to retrieve my music, and Mischa Elman thanked me, saying, “You saved my life.” He was humbly grateful and I certainly was happy to have helped.
— Peter H. Kapsalis
SMOLDERING OVER WFMT
BERWYN–Thank you for Alan Artner’s commentary in the Trib (Tempo, “Fiddling while WFMT burns,” Feb. 23). He voiced my sentiments but I don’t think he was strong enough.
I have also been having trouble with that station over the years in their converting to elevator music. Why can’t a “fine arts” station broadcast operas on Wednesday nights as well as Saturday Met Opera?
I too remember the critiques by Pellegrini years ago and enjoyed them. I used to listen on Saturday nights to the “Midnight Special” until it turned into one long commercial for the saloons on Halsted Street. Just this new year the station has further dumbed down the Saturday and Sunday music presentation and now is playing music from Broadway shows sung off-key by old “canaries.”
The station has so turned me off that I prefer my record collection over them. Once again, thanks for the column and I may sit down and write a letter to Dan Schmidt, as I have been smoldering for a while threatening to do exactly that.
— Ron Armagost
LISTENER RECONSIDERS
ORLAND PARK–I’m in complete agreement with your piece about WFMT. I’m glad that you’re keeping the issue current, since the changes tend to be overlooked over the years.
I’m 49 and have listened (actively listened) to and learned much about music from WFMT, since I first became aware of the station when I was about 10, listening to the weekly Boston Pops Concerts. I still remember those concerts and credit the broadcasts with increasing my interest in classical music.
I have a degree in Instrumental Music, sang with the Holy Name Cathedral Choir for 9 years, have played in bands and other groups throughout my life. Last September I started (and conduct) the 45-piece Orland Park Community Band.
Throughout my musical life, I have been constantly amazed at the lack of familiarity most people–even amateur musicians and music students–have with basic pieces in the orchestral and operatic repertoires. I always took it for granted that people with a love for and involvement with classical music were familiar with these pieces. I was wrong, but believe that it is 40 years of active listening to ‘FMT which gave me this grounding. Where will these people get the basics in the future?
I remember Wednesday afternoon complete operas (something WFMT directors told me was not possible just last year), “My Music” and “My Word” from the BBC, complete symphonies played anytime day or night.
You’re right; now all we hear is a basic play list of shorter pieces, nothing “meaty,” nothing anymore to make me stop what I’m doing and sit back and listen, perhaps even conduct! I like Carl Grapentine, but I can predict his comments and the pieces he programs (or does he?) ahead of time.
I’d love to hear a complete Mahler symphony during the day. I’d like to see more of those ingenious “theme” programs which somehow cleverly tied in seemingly disparate pieces. While it was hard to work while listening to a complete Shakespeare play, followed by appropriate music, there was always the choice to do so.
Now, every time I’m urged to join the Fine Arts Circle, I wonder if I should. I wait until the last minute and then send my money in for another year, thinking that a “diminished” WFMT is better than none.
I think I’ll skip my next renewal and just listen instead. If I had saved last year’s programs, I’d be able to predict what I’m going to hear every day the following year anyway!
If there’s any hope of getting the “old WFMT” back at all, please let us know, but without Ray Nordstrand, Norm Pellegrini and the “real” WFMT people, I’m not very hopeful.
It’s a real shame.
— Bill Schuetter
