The sole purpose of art is infinite

E. T. A. Hoffmann wrote in 1813 that instrumental music

is the most romantic of all the arts  – one might almost say, the only genuinely romantic one – for its sole subject is the infinite.  The lyre of Orpheus opened the portals of Orcus – music discloses to man an unknown realm, a world that has nothing in common with the external sensual world that surrounds him, a world which he leaves behind him all definite feelings to surrender himself to an inexpressible language.

Oliver Strunck, ed. Source Readings in Music History (New York, 1950), pp. 775-76.  Cited in : Plantinga, Leon (1984) Romantic Music.  New York: Norton, p.14.

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Reich on modernism and tonality
American composer Steve Reich on Schoenberg and his compositional style: Schönberg is the beginning of the death of German Romanticism. It’s about deciding that we didn’t need harmonic organization. But this was music for a small cadre of listeners. I think Schönberg said, “In fifty years, the postman will whistle my tunes.” Well, it’s been […]
Abstraction X
Title: Abstraction XComposer: Greg SmithPerformer: Greg Smith (7 August 2010)Instrumentation: PianoProduct medium: MP3Related products:– Abstraction X (PDF score)
Habit is stronger than willpower or inspiration
In writing, habit seems to be a stronger force than either willpower or inspiration. Consequently there must be some little quality of fierceness until the habit pattern of a certain number of words is established. There is no possibility, in me at least, of saying, “I’ll do it if I feel like it.” One never […]
I write for all ears
When Mozart was writing his opera Idomeno, his father warned him to make sure it was accessible to all the audience. Mozart replied: As far as the so-called Popular style is concerned, don’t worry about it; in my Opera you’ll find Musick for every kind of listener = except for those with the long ears […]
Recordings
I Will Praise You, Lord – Psalm 29 (30)
Title: I will praise you, Lord Text: Psalm 29 (30): 2, 4-6, 11-13 Composer: Greg Smith Instrumentation: SATB and piano Product medium: PDF score and part Sample:
Wexford Carol (SATB and piano)
Title: Wexford Carol Text: 12th century Irish Composer: 12th century Irish, arr. Greg Smith Instrumentation: SATB and piano     Related products:     – Wexford Carol – SATB and organ (PDF score) Product medium: PDF score and parts Sample:
Big Business
Title: Big Business (silent film soundtrack) Composer: Greg Smith Performer: Greg Smith Instrumentation: Piano Product medium:MP3 recording (18:16) RELATED PRODUCTS: – PDF score BACKGROUND: Film: Directors: James W. Horne & Leo McCarey Starring: Stan Laurel & Oliver Hardy Year of release: 1929 Synopsis: Two salesmen are trying to sell Christmas trees in california. The customers, […]
Against Gregorian
In Anglican England in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, there was considerable opposition to the Roman Catholic Gregorian chant.  The Parish Choir or Church Music Book, published by the Society for the Promoting of Church Music (October 1847), applauds those who “deal heavy blows at Romanism and every other form of dissent.” (1)  Part […]
The power of enthusiasm
“Enthusiasm is the greatest asset in the world. It beats money, power and influence.” Henry Chester