---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I find above all that the expression…"
description: "\"I find above all that the expression, atonal music, is most unfortunate — it is on a par with calling flying the art of not falling, or swimming the ar..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/971/arnold-schoenberg-22052_art_i-find-above-all-that-the-expression-ato_860947.jpg"
---

#  I find above all that the expression, atonal music, is…

![“I find above all that the expression, atonal music, is most unfortunate — it is on a par with calling flying the art of not falling, or swimming the art of not drowning.” quote by Arnold Schoenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/971/arnold-schoenberg-22052_art_i-find-above-all-that-the-expression-ato_860947.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/971/arnold-schoenberg-22052_art_i-find-above-all-that-the-expression-ato_860947.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/971/arnold-schoenberg-22052_art_i-find-above-all-that-the-expression-ato_860947.jpg)

> “I find above all that the expression, atonal music, is most unfortunate — it is on a par with calling flying the art of not falling, or swimming the art of not drowning.”

[Arnold Schoenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arnold-schoenberg/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

He criticizes the term “atonal music” as a misleading metaphor that trivializes the art form, comparing it to absurd descriptions of other activities

**In simple terms:** The label “atonal” is a poor, confusing description of the music.

Key Takeaway

Avoid using misleading labels that obscure true meaning.

Themes

music criticism language artistic terminology

Mood

irritated reflective

Type

critical analytical

When to use this quote

- discussing music theory
- writing program notes
- teaching composition
- public speaking

Key Concepts

metaphor miscommunication musical theory

Questions to Reflect On

- How does language shape our perception of art?
- Can a flawed term ever be reclaimed?

A Different Perspective

The term may still be useful for lay audiences despite its inaccuracies.

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[Art](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/art/) [Expression](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/expression/) [Flying](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/flying/) [Music](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/music/) [Song](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/song/)

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