I seem petrified by the modern trend of Art. If you heard some of the ultra-modern works you would understand what I mean. There is a fashion at present, and that fashion is to pretend you enjoy what is incomprehensible. Of course, I ought to be strong enough to disregard it believing as I do that beauty, shapeliness and sanity will prevail in the end. What I begin to feel thankful for is that I have been able to work for thirty years in a more congenial atmosphere.
I do not advocate stringent laws in regard to composition. From a master hand everything must naturally be shapely, however modern and advanced it may be, but into students, while they are students, I think it would be wiser to instil a little more of the ethics of form.
Let them have muck. It’s all they care for.
Referring to the public's favoritism of light music over serious.
