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July 2008

July 22, 2008 12:11

Music is mathematical
Composers write music
Therefore, composers are mathematicians

Okay, so logic wasn’t my strong suite in school. But seriously, I’ve found myself reflecting lately on what made some of our greatest composers – great.

Is it not possible that our many great composers were extremely analytical in nature and might have been considered mathematicians in their own right? When the music of Beethoven, Shostakovich, Mahler, Mendelssohn, Mozart and Bach (just to name a few) is analyzed – what is it that sets their music apart?

Is it the complex and analytical perfection of their compositions that causes the listener to rise to euphoric heights of pleasure, or could it be that their music is infused with their faith and a belief in something greater than themselves? Maybe a little of both, or something in between?

I have no answers – perhaps we’re not meant to know the answer…

But it is food for thought.

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