It's not difficult to tell the difference between a music performance or composition that came out of the silent heart and one which is the result of a calculative mind enmeshed with "external products" such as notes in a paper, fashion ideas, the desire to please others...
Not many artists and composers have the courage to recognize that the greatest art works are not "created" by them, but rather woven from another level of reality which is beyond the "ordinary self". The artist is a mere vessel, whereas the Deep creates by using whatever is available, which can be the attitude and technique of the person. But it seems one has to become "actively receptive" to pick up higher influences.
We don't do anything, but without us, nothing can be done (Jeanne De Salzmann)
We don't do anything, but without us, nothing can be done (Jeanne De Salzmann)
It's worth mentioning a remark by Mozart, who said his music turned up "fully made" in his head before it was actualized on instruments or written on a paper.
Where do the receptivity and creative action take place?
There is a "flowing and spacious silence" that cannot be expressed, only experienced within. In it and from it, all seems to fit, and we feel effortlessly at ease, perhaps being what we're meant to be.
At the same time, because of our unbalanced condition, finding this silence within is both a higher demand and a challenge. Hence the importance of finding openeness.
At the same time, because of our unbalanced condition, finding this silence within is both a higher demand and a challenge. Hence the importance of finding openeness.
Let's listen now to an inspired and free interpretation of the 2nd movement of Mozart's 12th Sonata (KV 332), performed by Friedrich Gulda. His words at the end are good to ponder.
