Sir, - What does one have to do to get a concert reviewed in your paper these days? Obviously it's not enough to perform regularly in the National Concert Hall, present beautiful pieces of music, attract large and appreciative audiences and work with excellent soloists!
I am delighted that The Irish Times can find space for reviews of concerts by such varying groups as the Vogler String Quartet, Ikara Colt, Christchurch Baroque and the John Abercrombie Jazz Band (all reviewed last week). As a member of Our Lady's Choral Society, however, I am also disappointed that our performance of Dvorák's Requiem with the RTECO and Proinnsías Ó Duinn - the first presentation of the work in Ireland for 32 years - failed to attract your critical eye.
I understand that resources may not permit you to cover every arts event, but as this is the third of our performances in a row to be ignored, I'd like to know why. Performers need affirmation and constructive criticism to improve, and the paying public surely deserves to be informed as to the relative merits of performing groups.
All critics are welcome to our performances of Messiah next Christmas and to the Brahms Requiem and Stravinsky's Symphony of Psalms in early 2003!- Yours, etc.,
APRIL CRONIN,
Arnott Street,
Dublin 8.