The following is the text of an address I gave to the annual conference of Chamber Music America in New York City, January 12, 2001. The audience consisted of some 400 musicians, both performers and composers, as well as chamber-music society administrators and sponsors, who received it politely, even warmly, and showed no sign of feeling under attack. Some readers of this journal may well feel that this shows I did not hit hard enough at" ingrained elitist attitudes." So be it; this is what I said.

Many of you will have looked at the title I have given this talk, and wondered what an outsider like me can possibly have to say about that question. You yourselves will quite likely have already given the matter some thought and have wondered why it is that all the world should not be captivated, why all the world should not want to sit down and listen with you, when you are offering such rich musical treasures, some of the most refined and beautiful, most intimate and satisfying, and above all most spiritually elevating and intellectually stimulating of all works of music.