White Light Fest: Soul or Sales?

Over the last several weeks, New York City's Lincoln Center has presented the White Light Festival, billed as an exploration of the spiritual in music. (The last festival event, “The Manganiyar Seduction,” a musical work in the Indian classical and folk traditions was last night at the Rose Theater). During this period of time, classical music critics and a reporter at The New York Times have also discussed the works, transcendence and the merits of the festival in the paper's blog, ArtsBeat. It's been interesting to follow. On Monday however, a reporter challenged whether the festival has been about "soul" or selling tickets as if that was a problem. In truth however a soul festival should do exactly both, attract large crowds with music that transforms the soul.