GERALD MORGAN, FTCD,
A chara, - I have just read with astonishment amounting to disbelief the crabbed and even churlish review by Douglas Sealy of Neil Cooney's playing of Chopin's Ballade No.4 in the NCH John Field Room last Friday (November 15th).
Inexcusably, the review is factually incorrect in saying that the "performance ... failed to involve the audience as much as it should". Neil Cooney's performance was enthusiastically received with sustained applause by a knowledgeable audience of (I would say) at least 60 people (perhaps 80).
I had not heard him play before, but it was evident at once to me (not entirely ignorant of these matters) that here was an exceptional talent.
The world of the concert pianist is as ruthless as that of the academic world, and young players trying to make their way through this musical jungle deserve at least a modicum of encouragement. Certainly a sublime talent like that of Neil Cooney (a Dubliner, I believe) deserves better from The Irish Times. - Is mise,
GERALD MORGAN, FTCD,
School of English,
Trinity College,
Dublin 2.