Ta-ta, Tower

RE your piece “For Audio Lovers, Yet Another Blow” [Oct. 22], may I observe that it is [Tower] record store’s own fault that they are closing, for they could not keep pace with our needs and charged prices at outrageous markups.

One has to keep in mind that lots of classical music lovers already have many different recordings of the basic repertoire (including “warhorses” by Rachmaninov, whom we love, ignoring your vituperative attacks) and read reviews extensively. We do not need or want the opinion of some kid at the register, pushing another boring, analytical performance by Esa-Pekka Salonen (Boulez without personality, I call him).

Naturally, music lovers (like myself) have turned to the Internet to buy recordings at places like Amazon.com and ArkivMusic.com, where the prices are reasonable and the selection terrific. Long may they live.

CHRISTOPHER MANKIEWICZ

Los Angeles