No Reason to Belittle Music for Children

In Connie Johnson’s review of “Anastasia: Music From the Motion Picture,” she makes the sweeping statement that “depth and kid-friendliness aren’t usually viewed as compatible” (“ ‘Anastasia’ Soundtrack Offers Kid-Friendly Array of Songs,” Calendar, Nov. 8). Nothing could be further from the truth.

In fact, the best of children’s music is often the best that music has to offer.

Johnson confuses depth with complexity. The simple truth is that simplicity can be as deep as a Bach two-part invention, a Brahms Lullaby, Arlen-Harburg’s “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” or Elton John-Tim Rice’s “Circle of Life.” Simplicity can be quite profound.

I get very exasperated with the lack of respect given to music for children by the rest of the supposedly “adult” music business, and the press, especially reviews like this one.

The greatest composers in the world, from Mozart to Britten, have written pieces for children both as audiences and as performers, often with great distinction. Are they merely “slumming” or do they feel that they are creating something valid if not outright grand for the child that lives inside every human being?

There are people creating music for children who believe that it is the highest calling they can have, not merely to entertain, not merely to impart knowledge, not only to create an audience, but to create a future for music itself, to show the way toward self-expression and fulfillment.

Not everything written for young audiences is imbued with life and depth.

But for every 10 Barneys there is a Peter Alsop, a Parachute Express, a Tom Chapin, an Ashman and Menken, a Sherman Brothers, an Elton John and Tim Rice, etc.

Next time you assign a review of a “kid-friendly” (an odious, condescending, corporate term if I’ve ever heard one) record, please, show some respect.