COUNTERPUNCH LETTERS : Trouble in KUSC’s Classical Universe

Regarding “Welcoming the New Path of L.A.’s ‘Arts Majority’ ” (Counterpunch, July 24): Reading Wallace A. Smith’s explanation of why he did away with KUSC’s all-classical format made me almost as sad as listening to the “new sound” he created for that station.

Classical music has an enormous repertoire and many devoted fans. Still, Smith felt the need to expand the station’s listenership. He certainly did not improve the product offered. Feeling the politically correct need to include the music of every culture in the “mix,” he did us all the big favor of even including watered-down jazz and New Age music. And just to make sure we all felt welcome, the station also changed its announcing style to more closely resemble the sound of a Top 40 station. Listeners no longer have to “endure” the quiet, dignified tone heard in the past. Now they can “enjoy” the new sound of a bubbly, never-ending-smile-in-the-voice style, replete with inane remarks.

SETH WITTNER

Glendale

Radio stations such as his KUSC-FM would better serve the whole community by encouraging what Smith refers to as a new audience led by a younger and more culturally diverse majority to appreciate classical music. And what better way to do this than to play more of it--not less--over his airwaves?

WILLIAM O. BRIGGS Jr.

Marina Del Rey

Under Smith’s regime, neutral, factual, generally non-intrusive announcers have been replaced by “personalities” who have the horribly mistaken notion that they are natural wits and that the listening public is interested in their gabby, nudgy obiter dicta. Many music programs have been discontinued for seemingly endless discussions, plays and general jabber. Even were one to buy into Smith’s hip solemnities, it is hard to imagine what “bridges that connect people” are being built by, for example, “Car Talk.”

DANIEL ZARA

Van Nuys

No doubt it’s more politically correct to talk about “roaming the universe of global music” than about dumbing-down the classics. But if Smith’s campaign to turn KUSC into just another talk-radio station is bringing in so many loyal listeners, why do their DJs spend so much air time begging for handouts?

PHILIP BLACKMARR

Pasadena