Missing the music

Dvora Waysman evoked wonderful nostalgia with “Missing the music” (Arts & Entertainment, February 8).

Some other names that brought instant recognition, from the very first bar of music played, were Vera Lynn, Fred Astaire, Ginger Rogers, Judy Garland, Gene Kelly, Nat King Cole, Johnny Mathis, Sammy Davis Jr., Shirley Bassey, Cliff Richard .... The list is endless and remains firmly in our memories – singing and dancing to these wonderful artists.

When Tony Bennett performed in Tel Aviv, the audience consisted not only of octogenarians, but younger people – all reveling in his show!

Thank you for bringing a smile to my face and a song to my heart!

JOY COLLINS Bnei Dror

I think and feel like Ms. Waysman about music and its shaping importance. Yet the great names she mentions are American.

What is there now to compare to Carlos Gardel (Argentina); Félix Leclerc (Canada); Charles Aznavour, Juliette Grecco, Yves Montand and Edith Piaf (France); Maria Farandouri and Melina Mercouri (Greece); and Amália Rodrigues (Portugal)? They sang in a cathedral-like silence. We in the audience had goosebumps. We stopped breathing and had tears in our eyes.

At today’s show-concerts in sports-stadiums, with audiences of 40,000, there is joy, frenzy and dancing. But there is rarely somebody crying, overwhelmed by the beauty of the music, the voice and deep emotion.

ADOLF WEINSTEIN Shoresh