‘Training for Virtuosity’, Daily Telegraph, 1937

The musical talent of our country has never been given the encouragement it ought to receive. This lack of interest and consideration is due to the indifference that the State has always shown towards music.

The following facts concerning this important matter are the result of practically sixty years’ experience as an ambitious instrumentalist, always fighting against impossible odds. The careless neglect of our national effort in the art of music not only concerns our executants, but applies to other branches of our music-making. It is, however, natural that I should confine my comments to the executant, for in that province my life of musical activity has been most concerned, and my observations and experiences during those many years qualify and enable me to say indubitably that British talent in the sphere of Music is the last of the arts to receive a helping hand in our country. The State has never realized the power of music, except perhaps in war time, and then there is very little to offer in the way of propaganda, owing to lack of encouragement and preparation in the past.

Music is an international language; it is therefore important to produce executants of the greatest possible lustre, for in their accomplishments we should possess eloquent speakers able to gain the sympathies and good will of most foreign countries. The exceptionally musically gifted child of our future generation should be given by the State every facility for developing his talents. The continental artists of high repute receive correct musical guidance from early childhood, with every advantage and encouragement, generally from the State; and the State in consequence reaps good dividends, for the resultant great artist is a real asset to his country, as a musical ambassador. How different is the treatment meted out to the children of our land who early in life show exceptional musical propensities! We may be justly proud of our outstanding executants (easily counted on one hand) in their achievements, and of what they have accomplished in spite of lack of specialized training and other very necessary conditions. Take, for example, our own Albert Sammons. If ever there was a natural born violinist, surely he is one. He has had practically no guidance in the study of his instrument.