Anne Marie McDermott, a prominent pianist, recently played the fourth piano sonata by Charles Wuorinen in Washington D.C. In reviewing the concert in the Washington Post, Robert Battey, after some half-hearted compliments, commented, “but Wuorinen’s severe, cerebral atonality tires the ear. Since listeners have not the slightest sense of expectation as to what note will come out next, they eventually tune out”.

Just so. At last a music reviewer has stated out loud what so many concert-goers have privately thought. Music should carry you away, appeal to your imagination, calm or excite or stir the spirit, but in any case be enjoyable. If you write music you are in the entertainment business, not getting across a set of complex mathematical models, while assaulting the senses.

Epicurus put music alongside good conversation, companionship, friendship and good food and modest amount of drink as important parts of a satisfying life. Music composers should return to the old idea of music being a pleasure. When will they get the message? When the last old age pensioner on Earth has given up “classical” music?