In The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians, it is pointed out that "the portrayal of grand passions was not his strength", but that he worked particularly closely with his composers to bring out their strengths, especially where it was a matter of sharp characterization or humorous or satirical passages.
În dicționarul New Grove of Music and Musicians, se subliniază faptul că „portretizarea marilor pasiuni nu a fost forța lui", ci că el a lucrat îndeaproape cu compozitorii săi pentru a scoate la iveală punctele forte, mai ales acolo unde a fost o chestiune de caracterizare sau pasaje umorice, satirice.