Fleischmannia

With the advent of Ernest Fleischmann’s reign, the once-common Wagner concerts at Hollywood Bowl tapered off, until today there is none of Wagner’s music being programmed by the L.A. Philharmonic either in the Bowl or the Music Center. It appears that Fleischmann has joined the anti-Wagner Beverly Hills element, alas!

It may well be that these days Wagner does not draw as large an audience as does Mozart, for instance.

However, some of our tax dollars go to the support of the Philharmonic, and I cannot but feel that we the public are being shortchanged when we are no longer permitted the music of one of the world’s most important composers. Though Wagner as a man was despicable, as a musician he was surely touched by the angels.

Who decides the Philharmonic programs? Fleischmann says it is a joint decision of himself and the conductor. Under the circumstances, it is not hard to know which of the two is first among equals.

NORMAN JOHNSON

Long Beach