Chaikovsky on Inspiration and Self-Expression essays

Chaikovsky on Inspiration and Self-Expression essays Chaikovsky viewed his art as a kind of autobiography or confession. He gave this belief a famous expression in the letter we have read, which concerns his fourth symphony. He is asked whether the symphony has a definite program. He replies that whenever he is asked this question he always no, but in fact he also says it is not that a simple question to be answered. The second paragraph of page 398, is the one that captures most of my attention in this letter. He talks about how a composer while is in that magical state of mind of inspiration gets disturb from different things, such as a call from someone, the clock will strike to remind you that you must go about your business, etc. The last part of this paragraph though is the most important to me. What is says is that only one thing is important when you are in the state of inspiration. That thing is that the main ideas should appear without being sought, but rather spontaneously, as a result of that supernatural force we call inspiration. He then describes all the movements of the symphony. But again, a small sentence such as the last one in this article strikes my attention. Where words fail, music speaks. I love this phrase because I believe all the meaning of instrumental music can be found in here. You go to hear an instrumental concert for several reasons. The most important one for m e is because I believe that listening to music with words is too real. When I go to a concert I want my mind to be free and be able to travel anywhere. How can you do that freely when the performer tells you where to travel with your mind? ...