Critic’s View of KFAC

Times music critic Martin Bernheimer’s thoughts about KFAC do a serious injustice to the station’s standards and achievements (“The Life and Times of KFAC,” Sept. 3).

Bernheimer correctly recalls the pre-1987 KFAC “fragmenting symphonies” and airing “a jingly pitch for a hemorrhoid medication.” He is wrong in writing “many of the same irks lingered” under new management. The station adopted a firm policy in 1987 against excerpting movements from larger works and dropped the network affiliation that entailed the hemorrhoid ads.

The station also broadened its repertoire to incorporate chamber music and more modern music. Musical selections were chosen with care, to feature great works in outstanding performances.

Two of the three regular announcers hired in 1987 hold masters degrees in music and are experienced musicians--something no other commercial classical-music station can claim. The result is programming of greater depth and variety than on any other such station, presented by announcers with greater authority--and greater wit--than is found elsewhere.

ROBERT S. GOLDFARB

Vice President

Programming and Operations

KFAC, Los Angeles