I had a surprise when I found myself in Fauré's class and discovered Ravel was there, too, doing, as I used to do then, traditional counterpoint. I was insignificant, and did counterpoint, I didn't always find it interesting, yet it seemed quite natural that Ravel should do it. I did it, he did it, we did it… . It was only years later that I realized that he had already written his string quartet, and I asked him why he was still studying counterpoint. ‘One must clean the house from time to time; I often do it that way,’ he replied.

My dear Cools,

… Your letter is going to get me out of a problem: I have been looking for your address. Here's why: one of my compatriots—and remember, a Basque with dual allegiance—the Abbé Donostia, from St. Sebastien, came to play me some of his own compositions and ask my advice. I was afraid a bit of hearing “monastic” music—until now he has lived in a convent; but I had the pleasant surprise of discovering in him a most delicate musical sensitivity, which needs only to be cultivated. Not being able to work but intermittently, I cannot at the present time take on any more responsibilities, and I immediately thought of you. Could you let me know if this might interest you?