Beethoven and Wagner for many years wrung our hearts. But…
“Beethoven and Wagner for many years wrung our hearts. But now we are sated with them and derive much greater pleasure from ideally combining the noise of streetcars, internal-combustion engines, automobiles, and bust crowds than from rehearsing, for example, the 'Eroica' or the 'Pastorale'...away! les ust be gone, since we shall not much longer succeed in restraining a desire to create a new musical realism by a generous distribution of sonorous blows and slaps, leaping numbly over violins, pianofortes, contrabasses, and groaning organs, Away!”
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 modern industrial sounds are more stimulating than traditional classical music, urging a new musical realism.
In simple terms: Modern noise beats old music for him.
Key Takeaway
Embrace industrial sounds in art.
Themes
innovation
music
industrialization
Mood
provocative
challenging
artistic
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- urban soundscapes
- experimental composition
- sound design
- performance art
Key Concepts
sonic realism
musical avant‑garde
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we balance new sounds with tradition?
- What emotions do industrial noises evoke?
A Different Perspective
Traditional music still holds emotional depth for many listeners.