Simon Rattle is correct: a larger concert hall is needed (Report, 18 January). That said, tickets for concerts in large halls are priced exorbitantly. What procedures and policies will exist to make sure everyone in the UK has equal access to concerts in the proposed new hall – in the same way that museums ensure access for all? That’s as important an issue as the quality of the hall.
Rattle says: “Here we are with maybe the most gifted group of living composers in any country in the world.” Is that wishful, nationalistic thinking? Is it prattle to acquire funding? The reality is that world-class composers are out there in large numbers. It’s simply wrong and unverifiable, however well-meaning, to proclaim the UK as “maybe” the world’s leader. To go down that road transforms what should be an art into an different endeavour where quality is easily mistaken for quantity. Anyone who has ever discussed music knows the futility of compiling a “best of” list.
Let’s get the new hall built within a proper price range without jingo. Let’s do it with policies that include rather than exclude a huge portion of the UK populace. And let’s even consider the idea that bringing the music to the people may in these times be a sound strategy. In other words, how do we go about having a world-class conductor and orchestra that aren’t confined within a single expensive venue?
Dr Mark Polishook
London
• Martin Kettle is right that the Hamburg Elbphilharmonie shows Germany appreciates classical music in a way Britain doesn’t (Why Germany is proud of the Elbphilharmonie, 12 January). Hamburg also appreciates British musicians, particularly Sir Jeffrey Tate, newly knighted in the New Year honours for services to British music overseas, who is music director of the Hamburg Symphonic and conducted Beethoven’s Missa Solemnis on 17 January as part of the Elbphilharmonie opening celebrations.
Andrew Holden
London
• However much a new concert hall cost, the money spent wouldn’t go into some elitist black hole. It would pay builders, plumbers, electricians and carpenters as well as musicians, who in turn pay their taxes. Every ticket sold will also generate tax revenue.
Mark Padmore
Forest Row, East Sussex
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