Music critic Martin Dreyer

MARTIN Dreyer’s critique of the York Symphony Concert at the University of York (March 18) left a great deal to be desired.

The only work really reviewed in a full programme was the Mozart double piano concerto, about which he used the word ‘organised’, undoubtedly an apt inappraisal of office procedure or the logistics of a military campaign, but when applied to the virtuosity of a musician the word is singularly misplaced and unclear.

Indeed Martin Dreyer seemed more inspired in his description of Paul Mann’s coiffure.

In defence of Paul Mann’s undeniably animated conducting, I would have preferred the word exuberant to histrionic.

As Martin Dreyer finally concedes, under Paul Mann’s direction the orchestra, of which I am a member, has benefited greatly by whole.hearted enthusiasm portrayed by his energetic style, and has been responsible for the standard we have attained.

Eric Horsley

Musician Paul Mann