My first reaction at the beginning of a festive concert honoring Pauline Oliveros was delight at her inclusion of real life sounds in the definition of music. I couldn't agree more.

Then confusion began with an early electronic piece played with the projection of a photo of the antique gizmo she had used to make the tape. Not all the music on the concert was confusing: much of it was simply beautiful--well composed, beautifully played, sung and in one case danced to. What confuses me is that nobody laughs despite the obvious humor of much of her electronic music.

People are no less sanctimonious about the avant-garde than about 18th century music. Same disease; new wallpaper.