The pursuit of the beautiful was, for [Duruflé], a gesture…
““The pursuit of the beautiful was, for [Duruflé], a gesture of the soul, not merely a function or an exercise of musical giftedness, or even of liturgical necessity. That is, perhaps, what Mme Duruflé meant in saying that he had ... a Gregorian soul.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Duruflé believed that creating beauty in music is an expression of the soul, not just technical skill or religious duty.
In simple terms: Beauty in music comes from soulful expression, not just technique or function.
Focus on heartfelt expression over technical perfection.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- performance practice
- teaching music
- composing
- listening critically
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How can technical mastery enhance soulful expression?
- What does a “Gregorian soul” mean to you?
The view may undervalue the role of discipline and training in artistic achievement.