Duke Ellington and Antonín Dvořák on Londoners and the English

“To me, the people of London are the most civilized in the world. Their civilization is based on the recognition that all people are imperfect, and that allowances should be made and are made for their imperfections. I have never experienced quite such a sense of balance elsewhere” (Duke Ellington, Music is My Mistress, New York, 1973).

“The English are a good, warm-hearted and music-loving nation and it is well known that when once they take a liking to someone, they remain faithful to him. God grant it may be so with me" (Antonín Dvořák, quoted in Otakar Šourek. A.D., Letters and Reminiscences; translated from the Czech by Roberta Finlayson Samsour, 1954).

.https://ia800707.us.archive.org/21/items/antonindvoraklet001860mbp/antonindvoraklet001860mbp.pdf


Great composers are unusually sensitive and  discriminating!