My music is best understood by children and animals.
Igor StravinskyRead
The real composer thinks about his work the whole time; he is not always conscious of this, but he is aware of it later when he suddenly knows what he will do.
Interpretation
What this quote means
A true composer is continually engaged with their work, even if they are not actively thinking about it.
Igor Stravinsky suggests that the creative process for a composer is an ongoing, subconscious engagement with their music. While a composer may not always be actively aware of their thoughts about their work, they eventually become conscious of their creative direction, often experiencing sudden clarity in their artistic vision.
Themes
ComposerCreativityMusicArtProcess
In practice
Example use cases
In a lecture about the creative process in music composition.
More from Igor Stravinsky
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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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