Part 5/9:
The Dangers of Abandoning Simplicity
The true craft of composition lies in the ability to refine and edit, striving to craft a 10-minute work from a couple of simple motifs. The juxtaposition of muddled complexity versus artistic beauty becomes apparent when one considers revered classical pieces written before the mid-20th century. While these works are intricate, they do not present themselves as mere showcases of complexity. Rather, they evoke complex emotions and reactions often through straightforward motifs — think of Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony, whose timeless simplicity fosters nuanced interpretations.