Liberation from formalism

“The present time has to a great extent liberated itself from symphonic form – from formalism. This started when the concert halls became empty, because that form has nothing to do with human beings. I believe that the present time is progressing.”

Jean Sibelius, to Jussi Jalas, 17th July 1946

Cited at: www.sibelius.fi [accessed 31 Mar 2010]. 


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