Composers

"Music…embraces at once the real and the ideal…"

Many composers over the years have tried to express in writing what the music of Mozart has meant to them—and to the world.

Many composers over the years have tried to express in writing what the music of Mozart has meant to them—and to the world.

In the letters of great composers, certain themes come up again and again, especially the composers’ struggles to get their works performed, and the desire—often frustrated—to have those works understood and appreciated.

In the letters of great composers, certain themes come up again and again, especially the composers’ struggles to get their works performed, and the desire—often frustrated—to have those works understood and appreciated.

“Once again one finds almost the entire piece is pure musical arabesque…"

“Once again one finds almost the entire piece is pure musical arabesque…"

A famous music critic once referred to the French composer Maurice Ravel as “this most conscious, most naturally artificial of composers.” And in fact Ravel specifically said that he wasn’t seeking “profundity” in the music he wrote. He was merely seeking perfection...

A famous music critic once referred to the French composer Maurice Ravel as “this most conscious, most naturally artificial of composers.” And in fact Ravel specifically said that he wasn’t seeking “profundity” in the music he wrote. He was merely seeking perfection...

"I find an exquisite joy when I search deeply in the recesses of myself, and if anything original is to come from me, it can only come that way."