Inner-most feelings can be expressed in music

Taneyev was critical of Tchaikovsky’s Fourth Symphony. Tchaikovsky’s response ended with:
“I can see you laughing as you read all of this, you sceptic and mocking-bird.  In spite of your great love of music it seems you still can’t believe that a man can express his inmost feelings in his compositions.  You just wait!”

Cited in: Hanson, Lawrence and Elisabeth (1965) Tchaikovsky: A New Study of the Man and His Music.  London: Cassell & Company, p.183.


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