[Boulanger] Ladies and Gentlemen: I would first of all ask of you that you have the kindness to ask of me question, for I believe it will be better. For I am afraid I might not understand just what you want to know. If somebody has a special question to ask it will be better, as I do not know what direction music is taking here, and for that reason I would prefer to hear the question in which you are most interested. So if somebody will ask the question, I will answer. If you have no question, then I will proceed with what I have in mind, but if you have questions I am absolutely clear to answer.

Question: I would like to know about the general educational trends and methods of the French in regard to the average people we have to cope with. We do not have the genius to cope with every day, and as all the samples we have of the French are artists that have arrived at distinction, we only see an impeccability of technique, we see a perfection of training, and the effect of absolute concentration and reverence for their art. Now I want to know, are they the special few, or are they the product of a training that is universal in the French school? Why do the French so excel in perfection of detail, in everything technical? Why have they such mastery of the technical?

Answer: I believe it will be simple to answer your question. The question, I believe, is answered thus: because the solfeggio, the basis of all musical training, is given with such care. I do not intend to say it is better, but I have had pupils from everywhere, and I believe the teaching of solfeggio is, in France, perhaps is of the best. How is it done? First, by a very big training of the ear, which naturally must be the basis of all musical education. Of course, the musician must hear, and if I play something, he must recognize all the sounds, so this is the beginning.