Sir, – There are indications that the “mood music”, in terms of the Northern Ireland protocol and Anglo-Irish relationships, has changed for the better (“In Northern Ireland, signs of hope are finally emerging on protocol impasse”, News, September 27th). The trouble, however, is the orchestra playing the music.
A number of members would seem to have laid down their instruments and aren’t even bothered to hum the melody. On the other hand, there seems to be no problem with the lack of soloists.
Ominously, there is no fine-tuning evident in any section of the orchestra.
The brass section, especially the trumpets, is sounding more than a little hollow while the woodwinds would seem to have exceeded the normal number of flutes.
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The maestro, having scarcely raised her baton, has seen a number of sheets of music from her score drift to the floor. Furthermore, from her advantage point on the podium, she seems to neither have the focus of the orchestra nor the heed of the audience.
In the circumstances it may be best to overlook this “mood music” and any of it’s perceived tonal changes. – Yours, etc,
MICHAEL GANNON,
Kilkenny,
Co Kilkenny.