"If listeners aren't carried away to Heaven, I'm failing"

La Monte Young, a seminal figure in the progressive and minimalist music worlds, is renowned for his dedication to pushing the borders of noise and musical perception. The quote, "If listeners aren't carried away to Paradise, I'm failing", encapsulates Young's ambitious artistic vision and extensive commitment to his craft.

At its core, the quote signifies Young's belief in the transformative power of music. By recommending that his music has the prospective to carry listeners to "Heaven", he underscores an objective of transcending simple auditory enjoyment, aiming rather to evoke a deeply spiritual and raising experience. This notion of being "brought away" recommends an immersive, all-inclusive encounter, one that transcends the mundane and connects listeners to something greater than themselves.

Young's work, especially his expedition of sustained tones, harmonic overtones, and unconventional time structures, typically blurs the lines in between music and meditation. By immersing audiences in extended sound environments, he seeks to cause altered states of awareness and encourage self-questioning. In this context, "Heaven" can be translated as a metaphor for these transcendent states-- areas where the listener may experience profound peace, clarity, or enlightenment.

Furthermore, the phrase "I'm stopping working" highlights the high stakes and individual dedication Young connects to his creative output. It shows a perfectionist's drive, where attaining an elusive and elevated psychological or spiritual response from audiences is not simply an objective but a requirement. Young's standard for success is not bound by traditional procedures of musical achievement; rather, it is deeply personal and philosophical.

In summary, this quote shows La Monte Young's aspiration to develop music that transcends standard limits, intending to stimulate profound, transformative experiences in his listeners. It speaks to the lofty ambitions of an author aiming to not just challenge the norms of music however to touch the innermost elements of the human spirit.