"I dream of instruments obedient to my thought and which with their contribution of a whole new world of unsuspected sounds, will lend themselves to the exigencies of my inner rhythm"

Edgard Varèse expresses an intense yearning for tools capable of unlocking his creative vision, transcending the conventional boundaries of musical expression. Rather than relying solely on traditional instruments with fixed sounds and techniques, he aspires to harness instruments that serve as direct extensions of his imagination, responsive, adaptable, and innovative. These instruments would act almost as conduits for his inner world, translating the intricacies of his thoughts and emotions into sound with unprecedented fidelity.

The phrase “a whole new world of unsuspected sounds” reveals Varèse’s desire to move beyond the familiar sonic palette. He envisions technology and instrument design as gateways to undiscovered musical territories, where new timbres and textures become possible. His wish is not to merely expand on existing categories, but to unearth possibilities that were previously unimaginable, sounds that lie dormant, waiting for the means to be brought to life. Varèse’s outlook anticipates advances such as electronic music or synthesized sound, where composers might sculpt audio as a painter manipulates color and form.

By invoking “the exigencies of my inner rhythm,” Varèse emphasizes music's personal, inner compulsion. He recognizes that authentic art stems from a deep internal urge, one that seeks fulfillment not only through structure or tradition, but through a highly individualized process. Instruments, then, are not ends in themselves, but vehicles through which a composer’s unique pulse and rhythm can finally be given voice. The language suggests a sense of creative urgency, the need for instruments flexible and sensitive enough to accommodate the spontaneous, evolving demands of his imagination.

Varèse articulates a vision of music as an ongoing act of discovery, where the composer’s voice is intimately fused with the tools at his disposal. His ambition foreshadows modern experimental and electronic music, championing the interplay of technology, intuition, and artistic necessity in pursuit of previously unimagined sound worlds.