The Vagueness of Musical Nomenclature

Extract

My object in appearing before you to-day is to secure a discussion that may lead ultimately to greater definiteness in musical nomenclature. On a subject in which so much uncertainty exists, there must be both vagueness and diversity of opinion, and I hope that, however trivial you may deem your own ideas on this matter, you will not hesitate to express them, for “in the multitude of councillors there is wisdom.” For my part, I trust I shall be able to say something sufficiently irritating to cause you to rise, if not in your wrath, at least to contradict me.