Geriatric quartet rejuvenated

As a rule, non-specialist articles on classical music feel compelled to mention at the earliest opportunity that the art form is clutched in the bony hands of ghastly old people. A Times magazine profile of Caroline Shaw, obviously motivated by her recent collaboration with Kanye West, is no exception: "A few months ago, in Iowa City, I attended a recital by the avant-garde string quartet JACK ... The recital hall was crowded, with a sizable contingent of skinny-jean-clad locals. This incursion of youth into the securely aged domain of the classical-music audience was owed, it seemed, to the promised appearance of a guest performer, Caroline Shaw." Yes, the JACK Quartet usually attracts nursing-home residents on field trips, but on this occasion the group was blessed by a visit from a friend of Kanye, and young people materialized. At least, that's what the article seems to be suggesting. It's more likely that these "skinny-jean-clad locals" were composition students at the University of Iowa. Caroline Shaw, a gifted and individual artist, deserves better than to be introduced in this fashion.