CROSS WITH W&M

EVIDENTLY the College of William and Mary saw only a glimmer of light as they didn't return the cross to its rightful place on the altar, but rather to a glass case (THE SCRAPBOOK, March 19). Crosses belong on altars, not as an exhibit in a glass case to be an object of curiosity rather than the symbol of the Christian faith, the faith that established William and Mary.

REV. DR. W.R. GARDINER
Montross, Va.

I BACK BACH

IN "Bach to the Future" (Feb. 26), George B. Stauffer writes, "There is also the question of precisely what it is about Bach's works that makes them so appealing to modern audiences." One reason even modern audiences appreciate Bach's musical work is that his style was magnificent yet well ordered.

From Bach's Mass in B Minor and his "Saint Matthew Passion," to a toccata and fugue in every key imaginable, the composer's grand brilliance is undeniable. Bach took his music to new levels, with chords and power that fill every arch of the churches for which they were composed. And Bach avoided the disorder of modernist tricks such as ever-changing volumes and tempos, dissonance, and the schmaltz that unfortunately has dominated classical music since the early 1800s.

There is another reason modern audiences enjoy Bach's music: It is difficult to find live. Many orchestras, including the National Symphony Orchestra, perform 19th- and 20th-century works while almost always neglecting the masters of earlier generations. The "been there, done that" attitude of conductors and musical directors results in a critical shortage of quality choral and instrumental music before the Romantic period.

We should not be surprised audiences love J.S. Bach. The man was a genius. Would that more choirs and orchestras comprehended this.

KENNETH J. WOLFE
Alexandria, Va.

IS IT FIVE O'CLOCK YET?

REGARDING Victorino Matus's "I'll Take Manhattan" (March 12): A Rob Roy doesn't require generic "whiskey"; it requires Scotch, preferably single malt. A Manhattan does not include bourbon, it employs American rye whiskey, which by legal definition is at least 51 percent rye, whereas bourbon is at least 51 percent corn (there are other differences, but that's the important one). Angostura, which is one brand among many (Peychaud's, Fee Bros., etc.), is not required in either recipe. So while including bitters in the recipe is correct, the inclusion of "Angostura" reads like an advertisement--akin to saying a Manhattan may only be made with Cinzano vermouth. Last, a martini is gin, and only gin. What most people know as a vodka martini is more accurately called a Kangaroo Cocktail. Alas, few bartenders actually know that, so they end up bastardizing a great drink.

DAVE WILKINSON
Houston, Tex.

SENSITIVITY SPELLING

REGARDING THE SCRAPBOOK's "Oh, Kolkata!" (March 5): Why stop at changing the spelling of Calcutta? People outside of Oregon maliciously call the state "or-a-gawn" while the natives call it "or-a-gun." South Dakotans insist on calling their capital "peer" while the rest of us rudely call it "pee-air." All maps sold outside of those locales should be changed to reflect the correct pronunciation. Why show Bengalis the respect that we're unwilling to show our fellow Americans?

DREW HYMER
Medford, Ore.