The English cannot get over this peculiar inverse chauvinism concerning their art music fast enough, as far as I am concerned. Occasionally, one discovers a music genre that leaves one's mind boggling at the sheer monstrosity of its having been kept in obscurity. Thus it was for me, with the music of Vaughan Williams, Bridge, Ireland, Finzi, Moeran, Bax, Warlock, Walton, Lambert, Bliss, and their compatriots, of whom there are many. This is a fertile field for exploration and the discovery of many gems and personal favourites. I would add to that, that the vocal works of these composers is capable of considerable emotional impact on account of their being in a familiar language as well as their lustrous musical vocabulary, and a disproportionate amount of my own list of "most moving moments in music" are to be found here. I think it is a disgrace that so much attention is given to the training of vocal art music students in foreign language repertoire, by rote, like a child learning "Frere Jaques"; when there is so much available to be sung in their own tongue, that they could much more naturally invest with the requisite feeling.

Not two but three forces have recently been brilliant in giving English music the serious attention it deserves. The third is The new English Music Festival. Please forward Simon this link: http://www.englishmusicfestival.org.uk/ I attended the second one this year. A wonderful event, great musicians, excellent locations and new compositions. He should have a look through the web site & if he can help the Festival Director, Em Marshall, with a plug some time , he should!!