"I'm not a music lover in the sense that I look for something to have on. I've never had that attitude to music"

The quote by Harrison Birtwistle, a popular British composer understood for his complex and typically progressive musical structures, provides insight into his unique relationship with music. Birtwistle's statement, "I'm not a music fan in the sense that I try to find something to have on. I've never ever had that mindset to music", recommends a more extensive and intentional engagement with music, instead of a casual or passive consumption.

First of all, Birtwistle's assertion that he is not a "music lover" in the standard sense shows a difference between those who take pleasure in music as a background component and those who engage with it on a much deeper level. Rather than looking for music to fill silence or as mere entertainment, Birtwistle indicates that his interaction with music is deliberate and reflective. He values music not for its ability to offer ambient sound but for its capacity to provoke thought, evoke emotion, and explore intricate ideas.

Birtwistle's rejection of the attitude towards music as something just "to have on" underscores his belief in the seriousness and strength of music as an art form. His structures often need active listening and intellectual engagement, recommending that he views music as a medium that demands attention and regard. This point of view shows his own approach to creating music, which is frequently defined by complex structures and ingenious methods that challenge both entertainers and listeners.

Moreover, Birtwistle's remark can be analyzed as a review of the contemporary tendency to consume music passively, as a backdrop to other activities. In a period where music is everywhere accessible, his approach serves as a suggestion of the prospective depth and richness of a more focused and devoted listening experience. He invites a reevaluation of how we engage with music, motivating a gratitude that values depth over convenience.

In essence, Birtwistle's viewpoint exposes a dedication to the concept of music as an art form that benefits cautious and thoughtful gratitude, challenging us to listen actively and with intent.