Editorial

Was the heading "Clarity at All Costs" meant to be ironic?

If the subject of the review — Stravinsky — really is a model of clarity, then in Mr Maconie's own words "he would probably resent it (the article) as much as I do" Perhaps the paragraph heading "Guff" best sums up the import of the article.

"A lot of guff is written in reviews of Stravinsky," says your reviewer, and in the rest of his article he endeavours, with notable success, to continue in that tradition.

I have never read such guff in all my life as: "Low register basoon passages, punctuated by brass chords pianissimo which are so deep that one strains down with one's whole body to accommodate them."

If Mr Maconie is trying to rupture himself, I would say ho has every chance of success; at least, if he finally succeeds, we will be spared any more of such fantastic dribble.

I sincerely hope sir, that we will not be subjected again to such frenzied ramblings.

If Mr Maconie wants to indulge in such perilous physical practices in the secrecy of his own home, by all means allow him to do so; but as to the publication of such peculiar musical on forbid it, Sir. please!

Mr Maconie ought to study the style of Messrs Everard and Evans if he wishes to achieve clarity. these two critics (and it is exceptional that a University newspaper should have Arts and Cinema critics of such calibre and outside recognition as yourself and these two gentlemen) have the capacity to use their command of English to the full and delight the reader accordingly.—Yours etc.,

James Fulford.