IN many of the sections that make up what we call TIME'S "back of the book," this is the peak season. Broadway, after the summer slackness, is alight with almost nightly openings. Book publishers have their fall lists, art galleries and museums their big shows. For Music Editor Richard Murphy, it is a busied round of operatic debuts, music recitals by the up and coming, and major concerts by the established artists. One of the highlights of the season is Artur Rubinstein's remarkable ten-concert series in Manhattan, and reporting on it gives Murphy a rare opportunity to stand back and single out who are the great pianists of our time.

He and Music Researcher Ruth Brine checked around among musicians, scouted which pianists sold the most records, found out which musicians enjoyed most professional respect. The big names, of course, came instantly to mind; the question was where, among so many artists of stature, to limit the list. In the end, Murphy decided that there were four who stood out clearly above the others. His four choices will be found in this week's Music section. Readers may quarrel with his favorites or complain of omissions, but Murphy (his memory refreshed by hearing them again on records) is prepared to stand by his choices.

Knowing which among the plethora of performers stand out most is a matter of taste and knowledge--and part of the critic's job, as TIME sees it. So, in weeks to come, as the occasions arise, Murphy in his bombproof shelter will attempt to rank the outstanding violinists, sopranos and tenors of our day

On page 81, TIME Book Critic John Skow pays an affectionate parting tribute to a member of our craft, the late James Thurber. Thurber appeared on TIME'S cover on July 9, 1951. By then his eyesight was far gone, and he had almost ceased doing any more drawing. But he obligingly availed himself of a large sheet of black paper (he could only see sharp contrasts), and with a piece of chalk drew the self-portrait that is reproduced here, along with several of his famous dogs.

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