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LETTER of the MONTH
Miller memories
Terry Blain’s admirable Timepiece feature (December) sent me back to June 1944 when I was an enthusiastic radio listener to that great Glenn Miller Army Air Force Band when they were in London. (They were known here as the American Band of the AEF, alongside their British and Canadian counterparts.) Unfortunately, Hitler’s ‘Secret Weapon’, the VI Flying Bombs, were aimed at London, forcing the band to evacuate – just in time, too, as their headquarters were destroyed by a Doodlebug the day after they relocated to Bedford. There they were joined by the BBC Symphony Orchestra as the Proms were shifted to the same place. Both had to share the Corn Exchange for their broadcasts until the band moved to Paris. How did these two very different crack outfits get on, I wonder? Did the BBC SO’s trombones have a surreptitious go at ‘Tuxedo Junction’, for example? Maybe there’s someone out there who could tell us.
Dan Zerdin, London
A word to the wise
Among the many things I enjoy every month in BBC Music Magazine, a high point has to be the crossword (and I am proud to have won the prize a few months back). I have recently completed the crossword in the December issue. There are some very clever clues in there from Paul Henderson, but I fear he has made a mistake. Clue 28 Across starts ‘Violinist’ (the definition part) and is followed by the cryptic components – ‘fellows’ (MEN) ‘call for attention’ (AHEM) ‘and crowd’ (PRESS) ‘the French’ (LE) ‘player at last’ (R). The only answer which fits with these components (and the rest of the grid!) is Menahem Pressler, who was in fact a pianist, not a violinist. I would be grateful if you could let Paul know, and if somehow I have missed the point of the clue, do say!
Jeremy Holmes, via email
The editor replies:
Paul and me are confused about a clue’s opening, leading to admission of error (3, 5)
Lenny’s antics
With regards to ‘Play as you gurn’ (Letters, December issue), not all conductors can be as undemonstrative as Adrian Boult (who still got wonderful results), but Simon Rattle is far from the worst. That ‘accolade’ must surely go to Leonard Bernstein, whose grotesque contortions were unbelievably distracting, whether seen from in front
