LETTERS : He's only just begun . . .

Michael White never misses an opportunity to attack me since I co-led the Hecklers and then started an on-going debate on musical language ("Arts - the best of 1994", Sunday Review, 18 December). Perhaps he thinks that's OK if you're cheeky enough to saymodernist classical music is dead on its feet and the 21st century will be romantic and tonal.

I must take exception though to his latest jibe. In his review of the year, he refers to me as a "failed composer". As I've barely begun, that judgement seems a little premature. To say I now spend my time exchanging "vilifying" letters with my former colleague from the Hecklers in the national press is quite untrue.

Keith Burstein London SW17