Igor Stravinsky, also noted for dissonances, was approached by Ringling Bros to compose music for the entrance of the elephants in the grand parade (at the circus, of course).
Igor declined on grounds that elephants were too ugly.
Ringling Bros replied "we'll only use rather small elephants and we'll pay $10,000," or something to that effect.
Igor relented.
At the premier performance, the band struck up the piece just as the elephants began their entrance. The elephants bolted, and refused to return to the arena.
The elephants didn't like the piece much better than I did, although I participated in several public performances of it back in the early '60s. (Much to my personal shame).