The quote suggests that music has a profound emotional impact when it incorporates elements of tonality. The speaker believes that without some connection to tonal structures, music might lose its ability to evoke strong emotions and stir listeners' hearts.
When Stephen Hough speaks about the tug between atonal and tonal musical compositions, he is highlighting a fundamental tension within classical music. Tonal music follows specific harmonic rules and scales that create melodies with a clear sense of key and resolution, often leading to emotional resonance for listeners. Atonal music, on the other hand, breaks free from these traditional structures, creating complex and sometimes unsettling sounds. Hough’s statement implies that it is this interplay between tonality and atonality that can make music poignant or deeply moving. It suggests that the contrast or combination of these two approaches enriches musical expression, allowing for a greater depth of emotional communication.
Stephen Hough is an accomplished British pianist and composer known for his versatility in various genres of classical music. His reflections on music not only highlight technical aspects but also delve into the subjective experiences that make music significant to listeners. As both performer and thinker, he contributes to discussions about how different musical styles interact and influence each other in the contemporary musical landscape.
