10 SEPTEMBER 1994, Page 39

Facing the Music

(For Brendan)

An old friend whose judgment I have sounded, one-time conductor and composer too, says logic is voiceless and confounded concerning Your good intent. He claims few arguments stand close reading of their score. Either You're deaf or else don't give a toss for our dull notes, or nothing's at the core but silence as our brief song fades to loss. Disbanding a lifetime's faith has a price muffling what seemed unexplainably clear. No easy listening now, this sacrifice leaves him facing music that chills the ear with cold airs from man's orchestra of doubt. Pure pitch discarded, absolutes thrown out.

John Chambers