Single Idea 12165

[catalogued under 21. Aesthetics / B. Nature of Art / 4. Art as Expression]

Full Idea

According to the Romantic theory music was an expression of something, of an idea (Hegel), of the Will (Schopenhauer), of 'intuitions' (Croce), or of feelings (Collingwood).

Gist of Idea

Romantics say music expresses ideas, or the Will, or intuitions, or feelings

Source

Roger Scruton (The Nature of Musical Expression [1981], p.54)

Book Reference

Scruton,Roger: 'The Aesthetic Understanding' [Methuen 1983], p.54


A Reaction

Deryck Cooke was the culmination of music as expression of feeling, and Stravinsky was the greatest rebel against the whole idea of expression in music. You can set out to create interesting music which does or does not grab the emotions.