A composer and his public: a talk in which Michael Tippett considers his relationship with the people to whom his work is offered. Item note: Modern preoccupation with long distance communication, particularly radio, and its effect on art. Radio's revival of the song recital and services to new music. The stranglehold of consumer-demand upon the creative artist (with special reference to composers) in modern Western capitalist societies. Totalitarian societies' fear and hatred of new art. Partok's fate. Speaker's personal artistic ambitions, under these circumstances. Writing works on commission: why state patronage, in the present age of cultural anarchy, cannot be satisfactory. How a composer makes a living, while hoping to produce works of permanent worth.