Composition Quote by Morton Feldman
“It appears to me that the subject of music, from Machaut to Boulez, has always been its construction. Melodies of 12-tone rows just don't happen. They must be constructed. ... To demonstrate any formal idea in music, whether structure or stricture, is a matter of construction, in which the methodology is the controlling metaphor of the composition... Only by 'unfixing' the elements traditionally used to construct a piece of music could the sounds exist in themselves-not as symbols, or memories which were memories of other music to begin with.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: "The Construction of Music", Music Journal, 1975
Music is fundamentally built through deliberate structuring; melodies arise from designed processes rather than spontaneous emergence.
In simple terms: Music is built, not just heard.
Key Takeaway
Focus on how structure shapes sound.
Themes
composition
structure
music theory
Mood
analytical
contemplative
Type
theoretical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- composing
- analysis
- teaching
- performance
- listening
Key Concepts
construction
12-tone technique
aesthetic philosophy
Questions to Reflect On
- How does construction influence emotional impact?
- Can music be both constructed and spontaneous?
A Different Perspective
This view may undervalue improvisation and emotional spontaneity.
