must have been in a state of Spirit much more akin, more analogous, to mine own when I am at once waiting for, watching, and organically constructing and inwardly constructed by, the Ideas, the living Truths, that may be re-excited but cannot be expressed by Words, the Transcendents that give the Objectivity to all Objects, the Form to all Images, yet are themselves untranslatable into any Image, unrepresentable by any particular Object.” The concept of music not as a plastic, static art, but an art that is temporal, and that can express an actual progression of feelings and thoughts, is something of which Coleridge was distinctly aware, even though he lacked any sort of formal education in music. The lack of a symbolic intermediary, such as words on a page, between the art itself and its audience, is another aspect of music that Coleridge found superior, even to poetry. He writes in an 1804 notebook entry, “O that I had the Language of Music, the power of infinitely varying the expression, and individualizing it even as it is. My heart plays an incessant music for which I need an outward Interpreter- words halt over and over again!” Coleridge’s acute awareness of these nuanced aspects of music in relation to the other arts is what made him of particular interest to me personally, as I am currently pursuing a double major in music and literature. I found in Coleridge a similarly passionate curiosity about the close relationship between musical expression and all of the liberal arts, and how it remains as one of the most foundational human artistic endeavors. It was a true joy and thrill to have been given this privilege, and I would like to sincerely thank all the members of both the Ave Maria University Literature Department and Music Department for giving me the knowledge and experience that allowed me to seize such an amazing opportunity, especially as a mere undergraduate! amu
Joe enjoyed a concert in Christ Church Cathedral in Oxford during his trip.
avemaria.edu | fall 2012 |
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