I found these wonderful words by John Barbirolli (written 1931) in the new
Gramophone:

   "It is the highbrow who drives the ordinary man, in sheer self-defense,
   to avoid concerts and operas like the plague, laugh at the very idea
   of buying a "classical" record for his gramophone, and switch off
   his wireless set at the sound of the words "Symphony Concert".  And
   to those of us who love music sincerely and would wish all the world
   to share our own intense joy in it, this is a saddening thought."

I find these words profoundly true.  It is very easy to bash the ignorant
mass (who hates to be lectured) but it is not so easy to give up the
attitude of being a better and more noble being just because one loves
classical music.

Robert Peters
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