As for Getty's musically callow settings of Tennyson and Housman poems--old pieces, new orchestrations--they miss the emotional point of such miniatures as the latter's "With rue my heart is laden."

The first one (1959) is no more unimaginative--as opposed to merely simple--a composition than its newer companions: too much orchestral unison with choral melody lines, no four-part writing--three settings for women alone, three for men--no counterpoint, no harmonic or rhythmic adventures, no thematic development.

It was a soporific administered six times. Momentary variety provided by chimes and a single cruelly low alto line felt welcome.