Morton Feldman Quotes

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"I think the composer is a kind of a medium, and his job is to get out of the way."

Morton Feldman's quote emphasizes that a composer's role is not to impose their personal ideas or artistic style upon a work, but rather to act as a conduit for the music that flows through them. This perspective suggests that the true essence of composition lies in capturing and transmitting the purest form of musical expression, with minimal interference from the creator's ego or preconceived notions. In essence, Feldman encourages composers to remove themselves from the creative process as much as possible, allowing their work to speak for itself, thus connecting more authentically with listeners and achieving a deeper, more profound impact.

"The idea of the work is more important than the work itself."

This quote by Morton Feldman suggests a shift in focus from the physical manifestation or end product (the "work" itself) to the underlying concept or intention behind it (the "idea"). In essence, Feldman is advocating for valuing the thought process and vision that drives an artistic work over the finished piece. This perspective encourages creativity, experimentation, and intellectual exploration in art. It implies that the impact and meaning of a work can transcend its material form, residing instead in the ideas it communicates or evokes.

"I'm very interested in space. I've always been interested in space. If you listen carefully, the spaces between the notes are the most important thing."

Morton Feldman emphasizes the significance of silence or 'space' in music composition. He suggests that the pauses or gaps between musical notes carry equal, if not more, weight than the notes themselves. This perspective highlights the importance of negative space in creating a harmonious and dynamic rhythmic structure, implying that these pauses can provide context, build tension, or evoke emotions just as effectively as the played notes do.

"Music is about time. It's not about pitch or harmony or rhythm. Those are just some of the things that music does with time."

This quote emphasizes Morton Feldman's view that the fundamental essence of music lies in its relationship with time, rather than conventional elements like pitch, harmony, or rhythm. For him, these elements are merely tools or techniques that music uses to manipulate and shape the perception of time. In this perspective, the temporal structure, progression, and flow become the core characteristics defining a piece of music.

"I don't want to be a 'minimalist'. I never thought of myself in those terms, and I resist any pigeonholing."

Morton Feldman's quote highlights his rejection of being labeled as a "minimalist" composer, despite the minimalistic qualities often found in his music. He believed that such categorization oversimplified his complex artistic vision. Instead, he saw himself as an artist who sought to explore nuances and subtleties in music, going beyond simple reductionism or adherence to minimalistic principles.