The course hitherto pursued in musical aesthetics has…
“The course hitherto pursued in musical aesthetics has nearly always been hampered by the false assumption that the object was not so much to inquire into what is beautiful in music as to describe the feelings which music awakens.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
He argues that music criticism should focus on the music itself, not merely the emotions it evokes.
In simple terms: Music should be judged by its own qualities, not just feelings.
Key Takeaway
Evaluate music on its structural merits.
Themes
music
aesthetics
criticism
beauty
Mood
critical
thoughtful
Type
academic
philosophical
When to use this quote
- music education
- critical writing
- artistic appraisal
- listener training
Key Concepts
formal analysis
subjective experience
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we balance analysis with emotional response?
- What criteria best capture musical beauty?
A Different Perspective
Emotions are integral to musical experience and cannot be ignored.