Regarding the article “Series of concerts celebrates 75th anniversary of Casavant’s organ installation,” the Sun Journal states, “Paukert (the performer) was born in Czechoslovakia … in 1935 when repressive Stalinist policies allowed little access to forward-looking 20th-century music.”

Actually, in 1935, Czechoslovakia was a democratic republic. This came to an abrupt end with the infamous Munich agreement and the Nazi occupation in 1939. Stalinism came about only in 1948.

In 1935, Czechoslovakia actually was a fertile ground for “forward-looking” music. One of the major 20th-century composers, Bohuslav Martinu, was flourishing in Prague at the time.

Another disputable claim: the assertion that the acoustics of the Basilica are “exceptional.” Not true. While the organ may be extraordinary, the acoustics are actually very dry, thanks to the sound-deadening tiles placed on the walls when the edifice was constructed. It was the rage of the day.

I know this of my own knowledge, having given a two-hour recital there on June 24, 2006, and having been disappointed by the lackluster sound.

Arthur LaMirande, New York, N.Y.