Madam, - While acknowledging the historical facts cited by Martin Pulbrook regarding Mahler performances from 1912 to 1971 (September 14th), may I soften his rather harsh critique of Eileen Battersby's article (Arts, September 7th)?
When I was a music student at UCC from 1953 to 1956 neither Mahler nor his music were mentioned in lectures on the symphony or in classes on orchestration. Whatever about the advocacy of celebrated conductors elsewhere, I doubt if Mahler's symphonies were often heard at concerts in Ireland at that time.
My first contact with Mahler was at the Edinburgh Festival in 1957 when I had the earth-shattering experience of hearing The Song of the Earth with Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau as one of the soloists. Everyone should have their Mahler moment, when all boundaries are broken. How's that for a platitude? - Yours, etc,
Dr ITA BEAUSANG,
Kincora Court,
Clontarf,
Dublin 3.