Famous quote by Esa-Pekka Salonen

"When we're at the end of The Rite of Spring or of a Bruckner symphony, I want people to feel the music physically"

About this Quote

Esa-Pekka Salonen, a renowned conductor and composer, has an extensive appreciation and understanding of the psychological and physical impact that music can have on its audience. This quote encapsulates his intent as a conductor to provide a transcendent musical experience that extends beyond mere auditory enjoyment.

"The Rite of Spring" by Igor Stravinsky and the symphonies of Anton Bruckner are both powerful pieces, celebrated for their rich textures and psychological intensity. In stating, "When we're at completion of The Rite of Spring or of a Bruckner symphony, I want individuals to feel the music physically", Salonen emphasizes the transformative energy and visceral power that live orchestral music can communicate. He is expressing the desire for the audience to be so engaged that the music resonates with them on a deeply physical level, leaving an imprint that can be felt in their bodies, comparable to the method one might feel a rise of adrenaline or a racing heartbeat throughout moments of high strength.

Salonen is pointing to the immersive nature of these compositions, which can evoke a wide spectrum of emotions and sensorial experiences. "The Rite of Spring", for instance, is well-known for its raw, primal rhythms and strong orchestration, which can create a nearly palpable stress and release. Bruckner's symphonies, on the other hand, are renowned for their huge scales and expansive sonic landscapes, which can envelop the listener, creating a sensation of magnificence and profound introspection.

Through this quote, Salonen is advocating for a method to conducting and efficiency that focuses on the full-bodied effect of music, aiming to move his audience not just mentally or intellectually, but in a manner that encompasses their whole physical being. The goal is to achieve a level of strength where the boundaries in between noise and sensation end up being blurred, using an experience where music is not just heard, however felt.

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About the Author

Finland Flag This quote is written / told by Esa-Pekka Salonen somewhere between June 30, 1958 and today. He/she was a famous Musician from Finland. The author also have 34 other quotes.
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