"The principle of the endless melody is the perpetual becoming of a music that never had any reason for starting, any more than it has any reason for ending"
- Igor Stravinsky
About this Quote
This quote by Igor Stravinsky talks to the concept of an endless melody, or a piece of music that never truly ends. It recommends that music is a constant process of ending up being, without any start or end. This concept is reflective of the cyclical nature of life, in which whatever remains in a continuous state of flux. The concept of an unlimited melody is likewise reflective of the idea of infinity, in which there is no start or end. Stravinsky's quote suggests that music is an ever-evolving process, with no conclusive start or finish. It is a constant journey of exploration and discovery, with no fixed location. This idea talks to the beauty of music, and how it can be utilized to express the inexpressible. Music is a powerful tool for expressing feeling, and Stravinsky's quote speaks to the idea that music can be utilized to check out the depths of the human experience.
"If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured or far away"
"We worked very hard to make the lyrics suit the music. I can't, like Elton John, for example, compose by lyrics. Elton has a great talent for that. Whatever you give him, including your questions, he composes in half an hour and makes a great song out of it"
