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I've always had a profound conviction that great music is about joy, even in the face of tragedy.
Simon Rattle
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Interpretation

What this quote means

Great music expresses joy, even amidst sorrow and tragedy.

This quote by Simon Rattle emphasizes the idea that music has the power to convey joy and positivity, serving as a source of comfort and hope, even when faced with difficult and tragic circumstances. It suggests that the emotional depth of music can uplift the spirit and promote a sense of joy, highlighting the duality of human experience where joy can coexist with sadness.

Themes

MusicJoyTragedyEmotionsArt

In practice

Example use cases

During a memorial service, you might quote this to remind attendees that music can help us find joy even in our grief.

More from Simon Rattle

Orchestras are like people. They're the sonic embodiment of their community.
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What really counts isn't whether your instrument is Baroque or modern: it's your mindset.
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We need to bring music to the people, even to those who normally do not listen to classical music.
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I believe if you're not completely in love with what you're doing, you'd better find another profession.
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Some of my favorite music in the world is Haydn. I had a sabbatical one year and made myself one promise: to play a different Haydn piano sonata each day - they are inexhaustible treasures.
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We have to be evangelists for music. We couldn't just be high priests of music.
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