Let the lamp affix its beam

This is for Merce Cunningham, Michael Steinberg, and Robert Hilferty, all of whom died over the weekend. The first two, grand old men of dance and criticism, will be widely eulogized in coming days. But I would especially like to remember my friend Robert, an elegant writer, passionate listener, and gifted filmmaker, whose beaming face was a constant presence at concerts in New York. I hope his wonderful film about Milton Babbitt, Portrait of a Serial Composer, will soon be released and find dis