To the Editor:
Re “A Chestnut Stuck in Time: Nostalgia Stymies Fusion,” by Ethan Iverson (Arts & Leisure, Jan. 28), about “Rhapsody in Blue” at 100:
Mr. Iverson’s article saddles Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue” with the duty of not solely altering music historical past (which it did) but in addition singularly overhauling Western music pedagogy. No artist in any medium might accomplish this, so I’m undecided why Mr. Iverson is holding poor Gershwin to this unrealistic customary.
What the article did do was make me take heed to “Rhapsody in Blue,” twice, for the primary time in about 20 years. Mr. Iverson finds the work “naïve and corny” — factors he doesn’t elaborate upon — however I used to be struck by what a proper miracle the piece is.
Like Stravinsky’s “Ceremony of Spring,” written 11 years earlier, Gershwin’s “Rhapsody” holds collectively by the savvy repetition of various and memorable materials. Whereas Stravinsky’s reiterations are fragments of Russian people songs, Gershwin’s jazzish tunes maintain returning in several varieties, rewarding each informal and deep listening.
By calling the work “the perfect cheesecake,” Mr. Iverson aligns himself with a protracted line of critics who’re fast to denigrate pleasure and valorize issue — actually a mode of thought that wants overhauling.
Christopher Cerrone
Jersey Metropolis, N.J.
The author, a composer, is on the school in music composition on the Mannes College of Music, The New College.
To the Editor:
All this sniping and yapping at music! “Rhapsody in Blue” might be the soundtrack to one of the vital romantic moments in your life, too, for those who let it sweep you away.
It was a freezing chilly night time in January. Large fats snowflakes whipped by the air whereas the skyline surrounding Central Park stood in silent vigil as Gershwin’s music pierced that inky darkness, emanating from the audio system that ringed Wollman Rink.
My new boyfriend and I rented skates and joined the throng, at first tentatively circling, then with extra vigor because the music propelled us. It felt as if we had been flying — beneath the snowflakes and the celebs — and look!
Over there’s Venus.
And over there, Mars.
Each time I hear that superb music, I’m immediately transported to that second in time when his gloved hand-held my gloved hand and the world was stuffed with prospects.
What I wouldn’t give for the possibility to circle simply as soon as extra, within the chilly and the darkish … enveloped by “Rhapsody in Blue” …
Christine Lavin
New York
The creator is a singer-songwriter.
A Transfer to Impeach the Homeland Safety Secretary
To the Editor:
Re “In Mayorkas Impeachment, Doubts Are Raised About His ‘High Crimes’” (information article, Feb. 1):
Home Republicans on the Homeland Safety Committee voted Wednesday to advance their impeachment articles towards the homeland safety secretary, Alejandro Mayorkas, claiming that he has dedicated excessive crimes and misdemeanors in his dealing with of the Southern border. The controversial transfer would make Mr. Mayorkas the primary cupboard secretary to be impeached in practically 150 years.
But that is nothing greater than one other stunt to distract from the Republicans’ incapability to control. As you reported in December, “In 2023, the Republican-led Home has handed solely 27 payments that grew to become regulation, regardless of holding a complete of 724 votes.”
Republicans would like to marketing campaign on immigration points relatively than cross actual immigration reforms, underneath orders of their de facto chief, former President Donald J. Trump.
Benjamin Cook dinner
Charlotte, N.C.
How Simply Exhibiting Up for Others Helps Us Heal
To the Editor:
Re “Two Lessons From an Ancient Text That Changed My Life,” by Sharon Brous (Opinion visitor essay, Jan. 21):
A honest thanks to Rabbi Brous for sharing an historical apply in her essay, which displays not solely a deep understanding of the human psyche and spirit, however the significance of neighborhood as effectively.
The pilgrimage ritual she describes does certainly converse to our occasions when there’s such a necessity to carry area for one another and our troubled hearts. All of us wish to consider that we aren’t alone, that we’re being seen and heard as we dwell by such tumultuous occasions. Individuals who perceive the idea of neighborhood categorical a want to be there, in good occasions and dangerous. Simply exhibiting up, as this essay factors out, helps individuals to get out of their very own struggling and enter that of the opposite, which alleviates ache for all.
The idea of the “amen impact” actually resonated with me as I, too, suppose that above all else, we have to make time to be current for one another’s tales of loss, change and struggling.
Asking “What occurred to you?” and actually caring with “honest, tender encounters that assist us forge new religious and neural pathways by reminding us that our lives and our destinies are entwined” is clearly a step in the proper course that can convey us all hope for a greater future.
Laurel E. Hilliker
Okemos, Mich.
The author is a lecturer in grief and loss research on the College of Michigan-Flint and the creator of “Grief-Stricken: Tales of Altered Loss in a Pandemic Haze.”
To the Editor:
Rabbi Sharon Brous’s piece must be one of the vital magnificent, uplifting and edifying issues I’ve learn in mainstream media in I don’t know the way lengthy. Taking the notion of merely “exhibiting up” to the degrees of affection and sacred duty serves as a rallying cry to these of us in want of therapeutic and assist in addition to these capable of assist and heal.
These stunning and life-affirming classes from historical Judaism are much more compelling when thought-about in mild of the rising antisemitism at residence and overseas. We are able to solely hope that “relentless love” on our elements will in the future assist and heal these so wanting to destroy the good custom that brings us the fantastic thing about such timeless knowledge.
(Rev.) Shaun S. Brown
San Diego
Slavery in French Historical past
To the Editor:
Re “Will a New Tribute to the Enslaved Heal or Divide France?” (information article, Jan. 26):
As a historian of slavery and abolition, I might recommend that we bear in mind the horrors of slavery in addition to commemorate the Black and white abolitionists who fought towards it. This shouldn’t be an either-or proposition. Each histories should be advised.
Manisha Sinha
Sturbridge, Mass.
The author is a professor of historical past on the College of Connecticut and the creator of “The Slave’s Trigger: A Historical past of Abolition.”
Printed Menus, Please!
To the Editor:
Re “From Small Plates to Small Type, Menus Spell Out How We Eat Now” (Meals, Jan. 24):
It’s nice to see that eating places throughout the nation are nonetheless offering printed menus which can be thought by and creative. Our previous eating experiences, principally within the New York space, have been that we are sometimes nonetheless supplied with a QR code menu.
Perhaps it’s age-related, however there’s nothing like studying a printed menu (again and again if wanted) as in comparison with studying the menu off your cellphone display to decide on what you’d wish to eat or drink.
After we final requested for a printed menu, we had been advised that the proper costs had been on the QR code menu, not the printed one.
I can perceive that the QR code could also be cheaper relatively than reprinting new menus, however I discover this post-Covid apply to be fairly irking.
And so as to add to the combination, aren’t diners typically on their telephones an excessive amount of anyway? Deliver me a printed menu, please!
M. Jackson
Mamaroneck, N.Y.
