My Trip to Vienna 2019

Music is one of the only arts that takes time to experience. A pre-decided duration pulls the listener into the moment and presents challenge of abstract decoding on a different level than language or visual arts might (not better or worse, but different). 

Visual art has a depth found by looking closer. “Auditory” art has depth on a perpetually abstract level that’s only noticeable when listening closer, which, like visual art, is very dependent on perspective. But listening closer takes time, just like looking closer. 

New art will thrive if the general population learns to take the time in “appreciating details” on a different level (much like appreciating good wine). I’ll be careful in qualifying this “theory” in saying it is definitely subjective and my own perspective may change (in other words, take these words with a grain of salt!). One lecturer said “good” art gives an experience without the need for thought – so who knows! It’s all subjective. And to tell the truth, I can’t really decide what makes good music “good” other than, perhaps, genuine purpose and passion behind the music.

Some other amazing quotes I’ve taken from the trip:

• Oliver Weber:
  • “Most important tools are your ears.”
  • “Take things away rather than add.”
  • “Why does the orchestra not have a digital/technology section? In today’s age?”
• “Keep in mind, humans have to read the music! Notate what’s easiest to read.” – Reinhard Fuchs
• Irvine Arditti:
  • “I don’t like vibrato.” – Xenakis
  • “A joke between Cage and I was, ‘How do you continue music with no tradition or history in America?” I would ask him. ‘How do you further new music when tied down by so much tradition and history in Europe?’ he’d always reply.” 
• “Cannot decide on a picture frame without first having the picture.” – Debussy (said by Dello Joio)
• “I explore as much music as possible, even that which I don’t like.” – Justin Dello Joio
• “The final frontier of music is organizing that which we can’t hear.” – Dr. Michael Polo
• Clemens Gadenstätter:
  • “Mankind created art to broaden our abilities and possibilities in a non-existential situation. Art must broaden our horizons.”
  • “Composition is about bringing a sound into context or perhaps a new context.”
  • “We live in a polyphonic world, always.”
  • “Tradition is not the worship of ashes, but the preservation of fire.” – Gustav Mahler; Clemens in reply, “We’re here to work on the burning.”
• Pierluigi Billone:
  • “A music ensemble is like a body. Everything is connected. All energy goes somewhere, even hidden energy.”
  • “Art is the balance between spontaneity and intellectualism.”
• Ulrich Drechsler:
  • “Music is empty space with a little information.”
  • “Perfect music is silence.” – Alexander Knaifel
• Dirk D’Ase:
  • “Life is an exciting playground! Don’t just focus on music – life is not just music.”
  • “You can’t learn how to be inspired. You have to teach yourself inspiration. Dare to listen to yourself.”
  • “A good composition teacher teaches students to have their own voice, not just to imitate their own style.”