As Bartok put it so succinctly: "Competitions are for…
“As Bartok put it so succinctly: "Competitions are for horses." Nothing could be more barbaric that the practice or ranking artists as though they were divers or figure skaters…What one suspects is that the appetite for dividing the world into winners and losers, anointed and anonymous, is so compulsive that it feeds with special, vindictive hunger on the most elusive and ephemeral of subjects. For if music can be reduced to games of power and success, then innocence-love without profit-can be dealt a crushing blow.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Treating artistic expression as a competition reduces its intrinsic value to a power struggle, undermining authenticity and joy.
In simple terms: Ranking artists harms music's true spirit.
Key Takeaway
Value art beyond competition.
Themes
art
competition
authenticity
power
joy
Mood
reflective
critical
Type
philosophical
analytical
When to use this quote
- music festivals
- educational curricula
- grant awards
- media coverage
Key Concepts
Aesthetic philosophy
cultural criticism
Questions to Reflect On
- How does competition affect creativity?
- Can art thrive without rankings?
A Different Perspective
Artistic merit cannot be fully quantified, and competition may spur innovation.