A Forgotten Master
125
very worthy friend … so we are to measure swords! You claim that the recitative of the Welches[1] is more reasonable than that of the French. I say that both alike are worthless, if we seek in them a resemblance to speech; and if you insist upon it, I will willingly and peaceably subscribe to the mandate that in future all the nations shall sing recitative in the Italian fashion… But as for the musical examples which you give me, you are completely mistaken. For the greater number of these passages of Rameau which you criticise bear witness to no little discernment in the art of diction."
Whereupon he takes the passage from Rameau cited by Graun:[2]
