Where Has Curiosity Gone?

During the summer months, music festivals abound all over the globe. Some are fully professional and others are distinguished by their educational activities. I don't have a preference, but in recent years, a disturbing trend has emerged from the latter. When I was a student at the Aspen Music Festival and School back in the mid '60s, a variety of outstanding performances took place, many with artists who were unknown to me at the time. In addition, the Aspen Institute had one of the finest lect...