“I consider that criticism is useless, I would even say that it is harmful… Criticism generally means the opinion some man or other holds about another person’s work. How can that opinion help forward the growth of art ? … Vincent d'Indy
It is interesting to know the ideas, even the erroneous ideas, of geniuses and men of great talent, such as Goethe, Schumann, Wagner, Sainte-Beuve, and Michelet, when they wish to indulge in criticism ; but it is of no interest at all to know whether Mr. So-and-so likes, or does not like, such-and-such dramatic or musical work.”
Vincent d’Indy (1851 – 1931), is described as very stubborn and conservative. After having been present at the premiere of The Ring at Bayreuth, he was crazy about Wagner. d’Indy disliked any modern tendencies in music. This might be the reason why one doesn’t hear much of him these days.
It’s safe to say that d’Indy was foremost a teacher, though. He co-founded the Schola Cantorum in Paris and there and at the conservatory he taught composers like Albéniz, Canteloube, Honegger, Milhaud, Satie, Cole Porter, and many more. He wrote operas, symphonies and chamber music, but not many songs.