My music is best understood by children and animals.
Igor StravinskyRead
Film music should have the same relationship to the film drama that somebody's piano playing in my living room has on the book I am reading.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Film music enhances the emotional experience of a film, much like live piano music enhances the atmosphere of reading a book.
Igor Stravinsky's quote emphasizes the intimate relationship between film music and the narrative it complements, suggesting that music should serve as a subtle yet powerful backdrop to the cinematic experience, similar to how someone playing the piano in your home enriches your reading. It implies that music can elevate the emotional resonance of a story being told, rather than distracting from it, creating a harmonious blend of sound and vision.
Themes
MusicFilmDramaEnhancementEmotion
In practice
Example use cases
In a film study class, to illustrate the role of music, we quoted Stravinsky to highlight how sound design impacts storytelling.
More from Igor Stravinsky
All quotes βConductors' careers are made for the most part with 'Romantic' music. 'Classic' music eliminates the conductor; we do not remember him in it.
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The trouble with music appreciation in general is that people are taught to have too much respect for music they should be taught to love it instead.
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Invention presupposes imagination but should not be confused with it.
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I was born out of due time in the sense that by temperament and talent I should have been more suited for the life of a small Bach, living in anonymity and composing regularly for an established service and for God.
Igor StravinskyRead
A composer is not only an architect but also an inventor, and he should not build houses in which he cannot live.
Igor StravinskyRead
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