University of Virginia Library

'J. C.' Defended

I am writing in response to
the article in your number of
December 3rd, "J.C.
Superstar': Impressive but
Appalling" by Teri Towe.

The writer of this review is
musically very erudite, as one
can tell from the multitude of
musical titles and phrases
inserted at every opportunity.
That writer gives one the
impression in the first
paragraph, however, that his
musical experience outside the
sphere of the Classics is very
limited. It would be fatuously
pretentious to write a review of
a rock presentation from this
position.

There are two impressive
but appalling inconsistencies in
the above review. I was very
surprised to see "Superstar," a
composition of the 1970's,
compared to "Saint Mathew
Passion," the composer of
which died in 1750. That alone
would seem an Augean task at
best, but the writer goes on to
discuss the characterizations of
the work, overlooking the fact
that "Superstar" is a musical
composition. Exploration of
such things as character and
plot is best left to a drama
critic reviewing a dramatic
work.

I appeal for a review of
Superstar which recognizes it
for what it is : a rock
composition, and not a poor
relative. It needs someone to
criticize or laud it from that
standpoint.