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About this quote

What does it mean?
Shostakovich describes Beethoven as a revolutionary who used music to provoke the public.
In plain terms
Beethoven wanted to shake up the public with new musical ideas.
What can you take from it?
Music can be revolutionary and challenge the public.

Where it applies

  • discussing musical history
  • analyzing composer intent
  • teaching music history

Putting it to work

  • use music to challenge norms
  • study composer letters
  • recognize innovation

Questions to consider

  • How can art be revolutionary?
  • Did Beethoven intend to provoke?

Another view

Not all revolutionary artists explicitly state their intent.

More from Dmitri Shostakovich

  1. 'I shall never forget that event - a boy was brutally killed by a Cossack with his sabre.'

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  2. 'Football is the ballet of the masses.'

    Permalink to quote #28
  3. 'Every composer should be able to play his own compositions at the piano.'

    Permalink to quote #25

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