If you consider that the arts and humanities often are subjects that serve to inspire and record human thoughts and feelings, then it is easy to understand how two masters in their own fields could produce works that complement each other. Paintings and drawings frequently cause musicians to create music intended to express in sound what has been seen. This type of work often prompts discussions and speculation that is very interesting.
In 1959, composer Gunther Schuller composed a work for orchestra that was inspired by the paintings of Klee. His published work included a dedication to conductor Antal Dorati, and remarks by the artist himself. There are seven sections, each using the name of a painting by Paul.
Schuller created descriptive notes for the ways his music relates to each of the paintings. He was careful to mention that some of his musical inspirations are related to the physical attributes in the various compositions. In contrast, other motivations for the notes he penned have more to do with the feeling or moods the paintings conveyed.
Other composers have written music based on artwork by Paul. But those by Schuller are historically important because of the way that he merged jazz and classical music. He is famous for naming and supporting what he called third stream compositions. His work to blend the styles resulted from a love for both. The painting Little Blue Devil reminded Schuller of blues and jazz, so that section of his work uses those genres.
Bringing the interaction of the fine arts full circle, is the often described love for music that Paul had himself. He studied music with his parents beginning at a young age. His musical studies and love for it remained with him as long as he lived.
Paul had consuming interest in using the vocabulary of musical concepts within his art. The two disciplines share terms with similar meanings. His love for music was expressed in drawings and paintings using language musicians and artists share. One example is the word, line. Every artist knows how different kinds of lines show different emotions. In a similar way, musicians speak of the melody as a line. The general idea that unites them, is that a line starts at one point and ends at another point.
The seven paintings provided fertile inspiration for original orchestral music. The musical expressions honored the artistic visions.
Ultimately, the works of both men are expressions of unity in thought. The discussions resulting from the links created by their works has been an intellectual feast, and most likely will continue for some time.
In 1959, composer Gunther Schuller composed a work for orchestra that was inspired by the paintings of Klee. His published work included a dedication to conductor Antal Dorati, and remarks by the artist himself. There are seven sections, each using the name of a painting by Paul.
Schuller created descriptive notes for the ways his music relates to each of the paintings. He was careful to mention that some of his musical inspirations are related to the physical attributes in the various compositions. In contrast, other motivations for the notes he penned have more to do with the feeling or moods the paintings conveyed.
Other composers have written music based on artwork by Paul. But those by Schuller are historically important because of the way that he merged jazz and classical music. He is famous for naming and supporting what he called third stream compositions. His work to blend the styles resulted from a love for both. The painting Little Blue Devil reminded Schuller of blues and jazz, so that section of his work uses those genres.
Bringing the interaction of the fine arts full circle, is the often described love for music that Paul had himself. He studied music with his parents beginning at a young age. His musical studies and love for it remained with him as long as he lived.
Paul had consuming interest in using the vocabulary of musical concepts within his art. The two disciplines share terms with similar meanings. His love for music was expressed in drawings and paintings using language musicians and artists share. One example is the word, line. Every artist knows how different kinds of lines show different emotions. In a similar way, musicians speak of the melody as a line. The general idea that unites them, is that a line starts at one point and ends at another point.
The seven paintings provided fertile inspiration for original orchestral music. The musical expressions honored the artistic visions.
Ultimately, the works of both men are expressions of unity in thought. The discussions resulting from the links created by their works has been an intellectual feast, and most likely will continue for some time.
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