Our Philosophy

I believe that instrumental music can express ideas and values without using words. I feel the same way about painting and sculpture, but works of this nature can easily tell a story associated with ideas. Music can also tell a story. Sometimes it is easy to recognize in works such as Dukas’ Sorcerers Apprentice, but in that case, we have words that tell what the story is about. We even have folk tales that narrate the story in detail. I am, however, not talking about this type of descriptive music, I am talking about music in the form of a Symphony with little to no description. Take the Eroica Symphony, for example, where Beethoven provided additional information: “Composed to celebrate the memory of a great man”.

Even with that description, many people consider this work ‘absolute music’. About this concept, the 19th century music critic Eduard Hanslick said: “Music has no subject beyond the combinations of notes we hear, for music speaks not only by means of sounds, it speaks nothing but sound”. Later, Carl Dahlhaus described ‘absolute music’ as music without a “concept, object, and purpose”. It is clear to me that Beethoven’s 3rd Symphony was purposely created with an ethical framework. The music we discuss on this page is charged with ethical and ideological content, which I consider a fundamental aspect in ‘great art’.

I believe that the Eroica, as well as the other Beethoven symphonies, has a distinct narrative, which can change from one person to another, but it is still there for those that open themselves to it. It is up to the listener or musician to decipher this narrative, if he so wishes. I find that making this effort can make the experience of this music much more satisfying and fulfilling. A narrative, by telling a story, can express values and ideas. In the words of Nietzsche, “And those who were seen dancing were thought to be insane by those who could not hear the music”.

In the Talks about Bruckner’s last three symphonies, which will be published in the near future, we will find similar considerations. I expect that some people will not agree with some of the conclusions expressed in these Talks, but there will be an opportunity for everyone to ask questions if they so desire, which I will answer to the best of my abilities.

- Eduardo Chibás