I gave a concert of my recent surround-audio electronic works on WSU School of Music’s Faculty Artist Series this weekend, and wrote the following program notes to… Read more “Faculty Artist Series program notes”
Category: Quotations
And:
“And thou, Melkor, shalt see that no theme may be played that hath not its uttermost source in me, nor can any alter the music in my despite. For he that attempteth this shall prove but mine instrument in the devising of things more wonderful, which he himself hath not imagined.”
J.R.R. Tolkien, “The Silmarillion”
Passing down genes and ideas in harmony.
The players and the cynics might be thinking it’s odd,
but if you rewind the tape, we’re all copying God.
Copying God. Copying God.
Copying God, copying God.
Add your own piece, but the puzzle is God’s.”
Jack White, “Zoo Station Zebra”
Ainulindalë
“Then Ilúvatar said to them: ‘Of the theme that I have declared to you, I will now that ye make in harmony together a Great Music. And since I have kindled you with the Flame Imperishable, ye shall show forth your powers in adorning this theme, each with his own thoughts and devices, if he will. But I will sit and hearken, and be glad that through you great beauty has been wakened into song.’
Then the voices of the Ainur, like unto harps and lutes, and pipes and trumpets, and viols and organs, and like unto countless choirs singing with words, began to fashion the theme of Ilúvatar to a great music; and a sound arose of endless interchanging melodies woven in harmony that passed beyond hearing into the depths and into the heights, and the places of the dwelling of Ilúvatar were filled to overflowing, and the music and the echo of the music went out into the Void, and it was not void.”
Happy Birthday, J. R. R. Tolkien.
Henry Brant, “Spiritual Music: ‘positive’ negative theology?”
Hans Urs von Balthasar, “The Glory of the Lord: A Theological Aesthetics” (volume 1, “Seeing the Form”)
“Cultivate a tranquil activity and an active tranquillity.”
Carlo Giuseppe Quadrupani, “Light and Peace” 14.5
“You are ever active, yet always at rest.” (addressing God)
St. Augustine, “Confessions” I.4
“No purposes. Sounds.”
John Cage, “Experimental Music: Doctrine”