Able Quote by Jean-Jacques Nattiez
“If we compel the composer to write in terms of what the listener is able to hear, we flirt with the danger of freezing the evolution of musical language, whose progressive development comes about through transgressions of a given era's perceptual habits."”
About This Quote
Source Musicology text: Music and Discourse, 1990
If composers are forced to cater only to current listeners, musical language may stagnate, losing its evolutionary edge.
In simple terms: Limiting music to current tastes stalls growth.
Key Takeaway
Encourage experimental listening.
Themes
art
culture
innovation
musical evolution
Mood
analytical
critical
Type
theoretical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- concert programming
- educational curricula
- artist collaborations
- audience development
Key Concepts
perceptual habits
creative risk
transgression
Questions to Reflect On
- How can artists push boundaries without alienating audiences?
- What role should listeners play in musical evolution?
A Different Perspective
Balancing accessibility with innovation is challenging.
