APPLAUD MESSIAH

To the Editors of the CRIMSON:

We are disappointed and alarmed by the review of The Messiah in Monday's CRIMSON. Whatever may be the merits of his musical objections. Mr. Litfield renders a severe disservice to the cause of student concert productions here. He complains that"... the Pierian Sodality was fooled into thinking that a Messiah performance could be slapped together in little rehearsal time." The orchestra held nine rehearsals, hired the best available choral conductor, and treated us to the best solo quartet we've heard in Sanders. They went to the trouble of assembling a chorus. to accuse these students of neglect after so much work is to run the risk of discouraging such enthusiasm in the future.

These who have worked for the great improvement in this year's HRO have enriched the cultural resources of the Harvard community a good deal, and deserve commendation for their efforts. The record crowd in Sanders Theatre last Friday night was overwhelmingly satisfied with Pierian's efforts, and local audiences are not the least discriminating.

The high standards implicit in Mr. Lifield's gloomy commentary would preclude every student attempt to perform the world's great music. Enthusiasm is no substitute for perfection, according to your reviewer. By simplest extension, this principle could be invoked against not only amateur orchestras, but also amateur magazines, amateur radio stations, and amateur newspapers. We don't believe in Mr. Litfield's principle. We do believe that all concerned with the Messiah presentation deserve a good deal of praise for their efforts, and more than a little for their artistic achievement. Paul E. Conden '55   Kenneth A. Jlmenez '54   Robert M. McColley '54