M. M. J=76. SKETCH IX. (Combination of Sketches VIII and IV.) In Sketches VII and VIII, we have a peculiar specimen (of spontaneous expression), which, at first, I considered a new melody in its proper harmonious garb. But I found much later that it was intimately related to Sketch IV. And I was astonished when I realized that Sketch VIII actually represented the natural (harmonious) setting to (the motif of) Sketch IV. I have combined Sketches VIII and IV in Sketch IX without changing their original forms in any way. Since many months had elapsed between the expressions, represented by Sketches IV and VIII, we have here, in my opinion, an extraordinary example of subconscious development. About a year ago I came across Chopin's Concerto No. I E minor and realized, to my surprise and gratification, that it was this composition, first movement beginning of E major part (piano solo), which had originally aroused in me that mood to which I have given such frequent expression without the faintest (conscious) memory of its original excitation. Sketch XA is an expression of a feeling of comfort-a reassurance of reestablished health after a temporary indisposition. Sketch XB presents itself just as spontaneously several hours later; during this interval I had occupied myself with the study of one of Liszt's Petrarca sonnets, (consciously) quite oblivious of XA. In my opinion XB, also, expresses a feeling of comfort born, in this case, of the realization that I had conquered some difficult parts of the Liszt composition. Every musical person will at once recognize in XB a matured development of XA. I feel justified in considering XB another demonstration of subconscious growth. Sketch XI shows how thoroughly a marginal (visional) impression may register. I had barely glanced at a program which contained Johann Strauss' Blue Danube, when I caught myself improvising this variation (Sketch XI) of the second part of the Blue Danube during the discussion of an irrelevant subject. SKETCH XII A. Sketch XIIA represents the germ of which XIIB is the finished composition; XIIA is the vaguest form of the musical idea, which I developed in XIIB. While sketching this musical fragment, the idea of the lullaby presented itself, and I heard (ideally) the even, rocking accompaniment, peculiar to the lullaby type. Simultaneously, some fragments of a typical lullaby text appeared to me, properly rhymed and ordered. This musical idea emerged quite spontaneously while I was reading a German Journal of Psychology without having, of course, any idea of music in my conscious mind. I do not know if this lullaby (XIIB) represents a manifestation of the parental instinct or if it is a case of cryptomnesia-a subconscious memory of my own childhood days. The latter seems quite possible because the text appeared in German which I very rarely speak. (Sketch XIIB follows on pages 418-420) |