David Del Tredici Quotes

Powerful David Del Tredici for Daily Growth

About David Del Tredici

David Del Tredici (born October 13, 1937) is an American composer, known for his significant contributions to modern classical music, particularly in the field of neo-Romanticism. Born in New York City, Del Tredici grew up in a family deeply rooted in arts and literature. His grandfather, George Sylvester Viereck, was a poet and publisher, while his mother, Helena Del Tredici, was a noted translator of Russian literature. This cultural milieu instilled in Del Tredici an early appreciation for art and music. Del Tredici began his formal musical studies at the age of eight. He later attended Columbia University, where he studied composition under Vladimir Ussachevsky. However, it was his encounters with the works of Igor Stravinsky, Aaron Copland, and Benjamin Britten that truly influenced Del Tredici's compositional style. In 1968, Del Tredici embarked on a series of works collectively known as "The Force of Destiny," which are based on themes from Lewis Carroll's poems. These works, characterized by their vivid imagery and emotional intensity, brought Del Tredici critical acclaim and cemented his place in the contemporary classical music scene. Del Tredici's life took a significant turn when he came out as gay in 1980, a decision that influenced his compositional output. Works like "In Parenthesis" (1975) and "The Grand Menagerie" (1982) explore themes of homosexuality, identity, and the human condition. Del Tredici's career spans over five decades, and he continues to compose today. His works have been performed by esteemed ensembles worldwide, including the London Symphony Orchestra and the New York Philharmonic. Despite battling breast cancer for over 20 years, Del Tredici remains a vital figure in contemporary classical music.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"In music as in life, the journey is more important than the destination."

David Del Tredici's quote emphasizes that the process or journey taken during a creative endeavor like composing music, or even living life itself, holds more value than the end result or final destination. This perspective encourages individuals to focus on the experiences, growth, and learning gained along the way rather than solely focusing on achieving an ultimate goal or success. In essence, Del Tredici suggests that embracing the journey, with all its twists and turns, is what truly enriches our lives.


"Music does not refuse to console us because it consoles us too much."

This quote by David Del Tredici suggests that music has an inherent emotional depth, which can provide comfort and solace to its listeners. However, unlike human interactions, it does not withhold or restrict this healing power. Instead, music is empathetic in a way; it understands and responds to our deepest feelings without judgment or reserve. This profound connection makes music a powerful tool for consolation, because like us, it feels the pain as well as finds solace.


"I believe that the primary goal of art is to open us up to the world."

David Del Tredici's quote suggests that the essential purpose of art is to expand our perception of the world. By immersing ourselves in a work of art, we can gain new insights, perspectives, and emotions about life that may not be readily accessible through ordinary experiences. Art has the power to transcend boundaries, foster empathy, and broaden our understanding of the human condition, making us more open-minded and receptive to the richness and complexity of the world around us.


"Art is a way of understanding and communicating about reality, an attempt to comprehend the universe and our place within it."

David Del Tredici's quote emphasizes the role of art as a means to explore, interpret, and communicate about the complexities of reality and our existence. In other words, art serves as a vehicle for understanding the vastness of the universe and our personal connection to it. It is an expression of the human quest for knowledge, meaning, and purpose. This perspective highlights the significance of artistic endeavors in unraveling the mysteries of life and fostering empathy, self-awareness, and spiritual growth among individuals and societies.


"The purpose of music is to liberate and transport the soul."

David Del Tredici's quote suggests that the primary function of music is to evoke a sense of freedom and spiritual elevation in listeners, allowing their souls to transcend the boundaries of everyday existence. Music achieves this by stirring deep emotions, providing an escape or respite from the mundane, and connecting us with something greater than ourselves – be it our inner selves, one another, or the universe at large.


When I first wrote for orchestra, I didn't realize, when you have 20 people playing a violin line, that is very different than one person playing that line.

- David Del Tredici

Violin, Line, Very, Orchestra

Composers love to write for symphony orchestras because the symphony is the Rolls Royce of musical instruments.

- David Del Tredici

Love, Composers, Instruments, Orchestra

Well, American composers are the best composers. At this time in the world, we are where the energy is. We are the most diverse, the most iconoclastic, the most maverick, and the most skillful.

- David Del Tredici

Best, American, Composers, Iconoclastic

A maverick feels like he has no choice however difficult his choice of expression. In my case, it was going backwards into tonality. It seemed so wrong. The idea that progress is going into the past in a new way is very strange, even though there are precedents.

- David Del Tredici

Very, However, Feels, Tonality

I've always been a composer dependent on texts.

- David Del Tredici

Always, Been, Texts, Dependent

I began like all composers, writing for small groups. Chamber groups.

- David Del Tredici

Small, Began, Composers, Chamber

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