Nothing is more odious than music without hidden meaning.
Frederic ChopinRead
The Official Bulletin declared that the Poles should be as proud of me as the Germans are of Mozart; obvious nonsense.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Chopin expresses how the pride of a nation in an artist is subjective and varies from culture to culture.
In this quote, Frederic Chopin reflects on the contrasting perceptions of national pride in artists, suggesting that while the Germans rightfully celebrate Mozart, it is nonsensical to expect the same level of pride from the Poles for him. This highlights the complexities of cultural identity and the subjective nature of appreciation in the arts, where different backgrounds foster distinct connections to artists.
Themes
PrideMusicCultureIdentityArtist
In practice
Example use cases
During a speech at a cultural event, one might quote Chopin to emphasize the importance of national pride in celebrating homegrown talent.
More from Frederic Chopin
All quotes →It is dreadful when something weighs on your mind, not to have a soul to unburden yourself to. You know what I mean. I tell my piano the things I used to tell you.
Frederic ChopinRead
Simplicity is the highest goal, achievable when you have overcome all difficulties.
Frederic ChopinRead
Put all your soul into it, play the way you feel!
Frederic ChopinRead
All the same it is being said everywhere that I played too softly, or rather, too delicately for people used to the piano-pounding of the artists here.
Frederic ChopinRead
Simplicity is the final achievement. After one has played a vast quantity of notes and more notes, it is simplicity that emerges as the crowning reward of art.
Frederic ChopinRead
Similar quotes
You've heard me call myself a bluesman and a blues singer. I call myself a blues singer, but you ain't never heard me call myself a blues guitar man. Well, that's because there's been so many can do it better'n I can, play the blues better'n me. I think a lot of them have told me things, taught me things.
B. B. KingRead
All music is based on country music. And that's why so many different kinds of people relate to it. There are more country music fans in New Jersey than there are down South.
Loretta LynnRead
I'm probably the only one in the world you can name that's worked with Billie Holiday, Louie Armstrong, Ella, Duke, Miles, Dizzy, Ray Charles, Aretha, Michael Jackson, rappers. 'Fly Me to the Moon' was played on the moon by Buzz Aldrin. Sinatra. Paul Simon. Tony Bennett. I'm the only one.
Quincy JonesRead
Rap is supposed to be about keeping it real and not relinquishing your roots in the community. Without that, it's just posturing. Somebody who claims to speak for the 'hood don't need no private jet.
Chuck DRead
I think, for one thing, all of us remember those teenage years and those songs that we fell in love with and the music scene that we were part of. So, in a certain way, music cuts through time like almost nothing else. You know, it makes us feel like we're back in an earlier moment.
Jennifer EganRead
One of the reasons I believe in jazz is that the oneness of man can come through the rhythm of your heart. It’s the same anyplace in the world, that heartbeat. It’s the first thing you hear when you’re born — or before you’re born — and it’s the last thing you hear.
Dave BrubeckRead