Awakening : Conversations with the Masters (2003), p. 24
Context: The genius of a composer is found in the notes of his music; but analyzing the notes will not reveal his genius. The poet's greatness is contained in his words; yet the study of his words will not disclose his inspiration. God reveals himself in creation; but scrutinize creation as minutely as you wish, you will not find God, any more than you will find the soul through careful examination of your body.
“Composers combine notes, that's all.”
Source: 1970s and later, Themes and Conclusions (1982), p. 52 : Dialogues.
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Igor Stravinsky 13
Russian composer, pianist and conductor 1882–1971Related quotes
“These principles, like the notes of a piano, may be used in many various combinations.”
Source: 1910s, Ads and Sales (1911), p. 8-9
[Denyer, Ralph, The Guitar Handbook, 2002, 114, 0-679-74275-1]
Elsewhere
Source: Vestiges of the Natural History of Creation (1844), p. 35
Context: It is remarkable of the simple substances that they are generally in some compound form. Thus oxygen and nitrogen, though in union they form the aerial envelope of the globe, are never found separate in nature. Carbon is pure only in the diamond. And the metallic bases of the earths, though the chemist can disengage them, may well be supposed unlikely to remain long uncombined, seeing that contact with moisture makes them burn. Combination and re-combination are principles largely pervading nature. There are few rocks, for example, that are not composed of at least two varieties of matter, each of which is again a compound of elementary substances. What is still more wonderful with respect to this principle of combination, all the elementary substances observe certain mathematical proportions in their unions. It is hence supposed that matter is composed of infinitely minute particles or atoms, each of which belonging to any one substance, can only (through the operation of some as yet hidden law) associate with a certain number of the atoms of any other.
Source: The Name of the Rose (Everyman's Library
As quoted in BBC News http://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-28287217
Original: Amanti della notte, cerchiamo di comporre note dalle nostre azioni, senza alcuna durata, ma solo con la voglia di trasmettere emozioni.
Source: prevale.net
Eduard Hanslick, quoted by Wolfgang Sandberger (1996) in the liner notes to the Juilliard String Quartet's Intimate Letters. Sony Classical SK 66840.
Isaac Goldberg Tin Pan Alley (New York: John Day, 1930) p. viii.