In 1972 he began writing at The New York Times, first as a classical music critic and reporter, then also as the paper's chief pop music critic, and, from 1992 to 1994, as the European cultural correspondent. Between 1994 and 1998, he served as the first director of the Lincoln Center Festival.
From 1972 to 1998, this individual worked for The New York Times, starting as a classical music critic and reporter, then becoming their chief pop music critic, and finally serving as the first director of the Lincoln Center Festival from 1994 to 1998.