human
At her feet the crouching Arabs never stirred
gpt
We want a new note in English music, said Charmian, in her clear and slightly authoritative voice.
human
The Hallelujah Chorus era has gone at last to join all the Victorian relics. And the nation is drifting musically. Of course we have a few composers who are being silly in the attempt to be original, and a few others who still believe that all the people can stand in the way of home-grown products is a ballad or a Te Deum. But what we want is an English composer with a soul. I'm getting quite sick of heads. They are bearable in literature. But when it comes to music, one's whole being clamors for more.
gpt
I have heard a new note in English music,
human
Oh, but, Max, you always--
gpt
An absolutely new note, interrupted Max Elliot with enthusiastic emphasis, turning to the man with the sarcastic mouth who had just spoken.
human
Your French blood makes you so inclined to incredulity, Paul, that you are incapable of believing anything but that I am carried away.
gpt
As usual!
human
As sometimes happens, I admit. But you will allow that in matters musical my opinion is worth something, my serious and deliberately formed opinion.
gpt
How long has this opinion been forming?
human
Some months.
gpt
Some months! exclaimed Charmian.
human
You've kept your new note to yourself all that time! Is it a woman? But of course it can't be. I don't believe there will ever be a great woman composer.
gpt
It is not a woman.
human
Was it born in the gutter?
gpt
No.
human
Don't say it's aristocratic! said Charmian, slightly screwing up her rather Japanese-looking eyes.
gpt
I cannot believe that anything really original in soul, really intense, could emanate from the British peerage. I know it too well.
human
It is neither aristocratic nor from the gutter. It is of the middle classes. Its father is a banker in the West of England.
gpt
A banker!
human
It is Cornish.
gpt
Cornish! That's better. Strange things sometimes come out of Cornwall.
human
It has a little money of its own.
gpt
And its name--
human
Is Claude Heath.
gpt
Claude Heath, slowly repeated Charmian.
human
The name means nothing to me. Do you know it, Mr. Lane?
gpt
Heath has not published anything,
human
Not even a Te Deum?
gpt
No, though I confess he has composed one.
human
If he has composed a Te Deum I give him up. He is _vieux jeu_. He should go and live in the Crystal Palace.
gpt
And it's superb! added Max Elliot.
human
Till I heard it I never realized what the noble words of the Te Deum meant.
gpt
All the Earth doth worship Thee, the Father Everlasting.