To Doug Schneider,
I was somewhat surprised at S. Andrea Sundaram's assertion that SoundStage! Network's writers don't listen to classical music. About 95 percent of my music collection (LPs, CDs, SACDs, and downloads) is classical. That's not to say I don't enjoy some non-classical music as well; Eva Cassidy's Simply Eva album is playing as I write this. In the musical examples I cite in my reviews, I try to use albums that readers may be familiar with, including pop and jazz, as well as classical. I think that using music that readers may have heard or want to hear makes reviews more interesting and useful. I try to use only currently available music references, so in the unlikely case that my description piques a reader's interest, he or she can still buy the music.
I do agree with S. Andrea's assertion that classical music lovers like to hear music performed live. I have season tickets to our local symphony orchestra, and am planning to attend a local Mozart festival this coming weekend.
Vade Forrester
Contributor, The SoundStage! Network
