Music Quotes

“Music, to be sure, is a universal language, but each nation has used this language in its own way.”
― Walter Raymond Spalding, Music: An Art and a Language

“Make art the hand-maiden of humanity. Seek not for beauty but for truth. Go to the people.”
― Walter Raymond Spalding, Music: An Art and a Language

“This brings us face to face with the perplexing question as to the essence of music. To some it is a record of intellectual activity tinged with emotion; to others, an emotional outpouring controlled by intellect. These two types of music will always exist, being the natural expression of the corresponding classes in human nature.”
― Walter Raymond Spalding, Music: An Art and a Language

“In reality, a musical idea is as wonderful a thing as we can conceive—a miracle of life and yet intangible, ethereal. The composer apparently creates something out of nothing, pure fancy being wrought into terms of communication.”
― Walter Raymond Spalding, Music: An Art and a Language

“It is true that all music is the expression in tones of the imagination of the composer; true, also, that music must fulfil certain conditions of its own being. But imaginations differ.”
― Walter Raymond Spalding, Music: An Art and a Language

“In all worthy music, in fact, the chief point of interest is the music itself which speaks to us in its own language of sound and rhythm. A knowledge of form is but a means to an end: for the composer, that he may express himself clearly and convincingly, and for the listener, that he may readily receive the message set forth.”
― Walter Raymond Spalding, Music: An Art and a Language

“The first question, in the presence of an elaborate work of music, should never be, "Do I like it or not?" but "Do I understand it?”
― Walter Raymond Spalding, Music: An Art and a Language

“The mystery of music must be approached with reverence and music must be loved for itself with perfect sincerity.”
― Walter Raymond Spalding, Music: An Art and a Language

“The fact indeed that music—like love, electricity and other elemental forces—cannot be defined is its special glory. It is a peculiar, mysterious power; [1] quite in a class by itself, although with certain aspects which it shares with the other arts.”
― Walter Raymond Spalding, Music: An Art and a Language