"The whole problem can be stated quite simply by asking, 'Is there a meaning to music?' My answer would be, 'Yes.' And 'Can you state in so many words what the meaning is?' My answer to that would be, 'No.'"
*Hey everyone this is Rachel's post. I'm not sure why it came up on my account. We were studying together and somehow I must not have logged out of my account. Anyway sorry about the confusion.
I really like this quote - I kind of dislike the way some people try to find a scientific, precise definition of music or what music is all about. I've always thought that music isn't something that can be captured by words; to do so would take so much away from its mysteriousness and emotionality.
ReplyDeleteAnd Copland is awesome.
Hah! An appropriate quote. All of this philosophizing about music is frustrating, especially since we are musicians because we've decided there are things better communicated through music than through "so many words." (Excepting Joey and Caitlin, with their organic voices and Italian arias.)
ReplyDeleteEverything can be described scientifically. However, I do agree with Dan that music (Small's sense of music: composing/performing/listening) cannot be captured by words, only felt.
ReplyDeleteTo Brahms, music might be worth a night reading a score. To me, it's worthless! (Family Guy anyone?)
Very not puny will...but on a more serious note, I quite agree with this quote - it's about how I would describe my lack of ability to put into words how I feel about what music is, philosophical no? Seriously, I love this quote, and I'll take the road less travelled by to communication with music all my life, because that meaning Copland talks about in music is what empowers the world.
ReplyDeleteMendelssohn said something along the lines of "if I could put it into words, I wouldn't need to write music," and that music was much more specific than words.
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