Orchestral music in wartime was saved by a relatively small group of enthusiasts who cared more for music itself than for their own personal success. It was a hard struggle, which has been described elsewhere, and the enthusiasts were sustained only by their belief that, with the obstacles of war removed, a new, fruitful and progressive period of British musical history would open up to them. It will not be out of place to enquire to what extent these hopes have been fulfilled.