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About this quote

What does it mean?
Varese describes musical form as arising from sound interactions like crystals.
In plain terms
He sees form as the result of changing sounds and forces.
What can you take from it?
Form emerges from dynamic sound interactions.

Where it applies

  • composition
  • analysis
  • sound design

Putting it to work

  • experiment with sound forces
  • study acoustic patterns

Questions to consider

  • What creates form in music?
  • How do sounds interact?

Another view

Musical form often involves more than physical forces.

More from Edgard Varese

  1. Our musical alphabet is poor and illogical. Music, which should pulsate with life, needs new means of expression, and science alone can infuse it with youthful…

    Permalink to quote #1
  2. I was not influenced by composers as much as by natural objects and physical phenomena. As a child, I was tremendously impressed by the qualities and character…

    Permalink to quote #3
  3. Music is organized sound.

    Permalink to quote #4

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