The great quarrel at once broke out as to the true method and destination of musical composition.

Is music an independent art, appealing directly to a special sense, or is it to be made an instrument for expressing affections of the mind in a certain deeper way?
The Italians asked only for delicious harmonies and exquisite melodies.

The French insisted that these should be subordinate to the work of the poet.

The former were content with delight, the latter pressed for significance.

The one declared that Italian music was no better than a silly tickling of the ears; the other that the overture to a French opera was like a prelude to a Miserere in plain-song.