‘Songs’ Is a Vocal Suite

Re: “Brenner and Dancers Struggle to Inspire” (April 28). Victoria Looseleaf is critical of Brenner’s rendition of Meredith Monk’s “Songs From the Hill” when she states “. . . with virtually no physical movement, much less dance, Brenner instead divided into bad tremolo territory.” The piece was presented as a vocal suite, not a dance. If Looseleaf couldn’t believe her ears, perhaps a quick glance at her program would have made that clear. Further, if she were even remotely familiar with the work of Meredith Monk, she would have understood Brenner’s faithful interpretation and that tremolo might not have sounded so “bad.”

Looseleaf goes on to dismiss the evening’s finale, “What About Bob?,” when she says, “The piece played haphazardly and felt like Muzak. . . .” This statement further proves that she simply didn’t “get it.” At various moments throughout the piece the dancers intentionally relate to each other in a manner reminiscent of a rehearsal and the score is a spoof on bizarre renditions of Dylan songs that are supposed to feel like Muzak to a contemporary audience.

Looseleaf is certainly entitled to her opinion, but as a qualified reviewer that opinion should be based on knowledge not ignorance. This is the least we should expect of someone whose commentary is read by so many people.

MITCHELL BOGARD

Lighting Designer,

Janis Brenner and Dancers

New York