In music, in the sea, in a flower, in a leaf, in an act of kindness... I see what people call God in all these things.
Pablo CasalsRead
Bach is the supreme genius of music... This man, who knows everything and feels everything, cannot write one note, however unimportant it may appear, which is anything but transcendent. He has reached the heart of every noble thought, and has done it in the most perfect way.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Bach's music embodies profound emotion and genius, transcending ordinary understanding.
Pablo Casals expresses profound admiration for Johann Sebastian Bach, stating that Bach's mastery in music is unparalleled. He suggests that every note composed by Bach, regardless of its perceived significance, holds profound meaning and connects deeply with noble thoughts. This reflects not only Bach's technical skill but also his ability to convey complex emotions through music, marking him as a supreme genius in the art form.
Themes
BachMusicGeniusEmotionArt
In practice
Example use cases
During a music appreciation class, one might use this quote to illustrate the significance of Bach's contributions.
More from Pablo Casals
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The child must know that he is a miracle, that since the beginning of the world there hasn't been, and until the end of the world there will not be, another child like him.
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I am an old man but in many senses a very young man. And this is what I want you to be, young, young all your life.
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To the whole world you might be just one person, but to one person you might just be the whole world.
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How could anybody think of Bach as 'cold' when these [cello] suites seem to shine with the most glittering kind of poetry," Casals said. "As I got on with the study I discovered a new world of space and beauty... the feelings I experienced were among the purest and most intense in my artistic life!
Pablo CasalsRead
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In Bach, the vital cells of music are united as the world is in God.
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