The famous French composer, Charles François Gounod, briefly gives
as his opinion: "Composer c'est exprimer ce que l'on _sent_ dans une
langue que l'on _sait_."
He adds that though the art of composition cannot be acquired, it may
undoubtedly be cultivated; in fact, must be trained, like any other
talent.
Mons. Gounod lays down no strict rules for composition, as he follows
none himself, only composing when inclined to do so. As to his best
work, he says: "I consider it is that which is still to be done"; and
again: "Every nation is a musical nation."
Finally, the few bars of music given here are surrounded by more than
the usual amount of interest, for Mons. Gounod, in presenting them,
wrote: "The portion of music I send you is from no _work_ of mine, but
'instantaneous' for you, of an autograph."
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