Mrs. Constance Shacklock: >I am most impressed by the French Navy's apparent ability to nurture fine, >strapping young composers- not only Msr. Cras but Msr. Albert Roussel >launched their glorious careers with a maritime splash. In Argentina, our conservatories have the far more impressive ability of breeding fine admirals. They often launch their careers with a wreck and, with no exception, they sink with their ships. >Have other composers pursued military careers? I recall in my youth seeing >a fetching picture of Dmitri Shostakovich during the siege of Stalingrad >wearing not only his customary little round glasses but a dashing fireman's >helmet. Shostakovich, Schoenberg and Berg (the only cases I know) didn't pursue what one may call a military career. They joined the army, voluntarily or not, during WW I and II, and were not but regular soldiers (or firemen, in the case of DS). I don't remember, Rimsky-Korsakoff aside, another composer engaged in a military career. Pablo Massa [log in to unmask]