"When I first was conducting as guest conductor in Europe 25 years ago, I would propose doing American pieces and grudgingly it would be accepted from time to time"

This quote by Michael Tilson Thomas shows the mindset towards American songs in Europe 25 years ago. At the time, Tilson Thomas was a guest conductor in Europe and he located that when he proposed doing American items, it was hesitantly accepted. This recommends that American music was not extremely regarded in Europe at the time, as well as was viewed as substandard to European music. This mindset may have resulted from a lack of understanding as well as appreciation of American music, or a preference for European songs. However, Tilson Thomas was able to convince some people to accept American songs, which shows that perspectives can transform over time. Today, American songs is commonly appreciated and appreciated in Europe, and also it is most likely that Tilson Thomas' initiatives to advertise American songs contributed in this shift.