Every day one should at least hear one little song, read one good poem, see one fine painting and–if at all possible–speak a few sensible words.
Goethe, Johann (translated by Frederick Ungar & Heinz Goethe, Johann W., Frederick Ungar, and Heinz Norden). Goethe’s world view : presented in his reflections and maxims : with new English translations and the German originals. New York: Frederick Ungar Publishing Co, 1963, p.131.
— Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Each day, according to Goethe
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Music and health
“Musical instruments are aids to the maintenance of health, and to the restoration of health once lost, according to the difference in the complexions of men. For this art of music was anciently ordained to draw the mind back into healthful habits, and thus doctors are dedicated to its use to cure bodies. Therefore they […]
Schoenberg’s composition classAn account of Arnold Schoenberg teaching a composition class: Well, first of all there was composition class, in which he analyzed in brief the first sections of several Schubert sonatas. How he adores Schubert! “Many people say,” he remarked, “that Schubert is too long. He is long-yes-but for me he is always too short!” Such […]
Education and researchEducation & research services in the fields below are offered both: – online – face to face Skill areas: – Aural and harmony – Analysis – Music history – Piano tuition How can Emotemuse help you? – Tuition – Research and analysis Contact THE CRAFT OF THE MUSICAL LANGUAGE Greg Smith completed a Bachelor […]
It must be resolvedBach, a master of harmony and counterpoint, would not settle for imperfect sounds, no matter where he was. Johann Reichardt recalled: Johann Sebastian Bach once came into a large company while a musical amateur was sitting and improvising at a harpsichord. The moment the latter became aware of the presence of the great master, he […]
Szymanowski’s dogsThe Polish composer Karol Szymanowski was brought up in very musical environment: he had a dogs named “Scherzo” and “Crotchet”. Source: Palmer, Christopher (1983) Szymanowski. London: BBC, p. 9.
Steering the audience’s tasteThe following advice appeared in the British Journal the Musical Times in January 1879: A young student wishes us to tell him what to do under the following circumstances: He has been carefully educated in music, for which he has considerable aptitude and an intense love; he is an efficient pianist, and knows most of […]
Music with no boundariesMusic can imply the infinite if enough things depart from the norm far enough. Strange “abnormal” events can lead to the feeling that anything can happen, and you have a music with no boundaries. – Morton Feldman, American composer Cited in Tom Johnson, Remembrance, September 1987. Accessed 13 May 2013.
The effect of audience reception on Stravinsky’s compositional processStravinksy on the public not particularly liking his music: Their attitude certainly cannot make me deviate from my path. I shall assuredly not sacrifice my predilections and my aspirations to the demands of those who, in their blindness, do not realize that they are simply asking me to go backwards … I could not follow […]
Inner-most feelings can be expressed in musicTaneyev 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 […]
The worker and his object“In all types of creative work the worker and his object become one, man unites himself with the world in the process of creation.” — Erich Fromm