There can be no music without ideology. The old composers, whether they knew it or not, were upholding a political theory. Most of them, of course, were bolstering the rule of the upper classes. … We, as revolutionists, have a different conception of music. Lenin himself said that ‘music is a means of unifying broad masses of people.’ Not a leader of masses, perhaps, but certainly an organizing force! … Not that the Soviets are always joyous, or supposed to be. But good music lifts and heartens and lightens people for work and effort. It may be tragic but it must be strong. It is no longer an end in itself, but a vital weapon to the struggle.