My sole recreations consist in dancing English hornpipes and cutting capers. Italy is a land of sleep; I am always drowsy here.
Wolfgang Amadeus MozartRead
Nevertheless the passions, whether violent or not, should never be so expressed as to reach the point of causing disgust; and music, even in situations of the greatest horror, should never be painful to the ear but should flatter and charm it, and thereby always remain music.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Music should always be beautiful and pleasing, even in the most difficult circumstances.
In this quote, Mozart emphasizes that music is an art form that should consistently be harmonious and beautiful, regardless of the emotions or themes it conveys. He argues that even in the face of horror or intense passion, the essence of music should be to charm and flatter the listener's ear, suggesting that true artistry transcends even the darkest of situations.
Themes
MusicArtBeautyPassionHarmony
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used in a discussion about the role of art in society during turbulent times.
More from Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
All quotes →My dear sister! I’m amazed to discover that you can compose so delightfully. In a word, your Lied is beautiful. You must compose more often.
Wolfgang Amadeus MozartRead
I hope never to marry in this way; I wish to make my wife happy, but not to become rich by her means, so I will let things alone and enjoy my golden freedom till I am so well off that I can support both wife and children.
Wolfgang Amadeus MozartRead
I thank my God for graciously granting me the opportunity of learning that death is the key which unlocks the door to our true happiness.
Wolfgang Amadeus MozartRead
I am one of those who will go on doing till all doings are at an end.
Wolfgang Amadeus MozartRead
My Constanze is the virtuous, honourable, discreet, and faithful darling of her honest and kindly-disposed Mozart.
Wolfgang Amadeus MozartRead
Similar quotes
A main part of the struggle of art has been to make an art that is direct, simple, humane, unconnected with powers that be in their essence... To the degree that it is connected with the bourgeoisie via the marketplace and so on is not necessarily an artist's problem.
Robert MotherwellRead
I have a soft spot for art that, in terms of subject matter and material, is in bad taste.
Jerry SaltzRead
I prefer to unwind by DJing. I learned that from Mike D from the Beastie Boys. After a show, he would DJ. Once I saw that, I wanted to do that. And now DJing is like my lifeline. I love the power it represents.
QuestloveRead
All writers write about the past, and I try to make it come alive so you can see what happened.
Ernest GainesRead
Writers are lucky. Whatever the mood, no matter the longing, the writer can use his words to connect himself to any world he wishes to visit.
Alan ZweibelRead
I never have an intended audience. I just write, you know.
Alice WalkerRead