Ernst Theodor Amadeus Hoffmann
Ernst Theodor Amadeus Hoffmann was a celebrated German author known for his creative imagination, gothic horror, music criticism, and composition. Hoffmann’s work brought imaginary and superficial ideas through his style of art. According to Hoffmann, Instrumental music is an improvement in the means of expression over vocal music. There is a novelty in instrumental music, and that is why I concur with Hoffmann’s argument.
Hoffman argues that the work of art presented in instrumental music is unlimited, and it divulges us into a miraculous world beyond the geometry we live. According to Ernst, Instrumental music possesses distinct attributes that make it a beautiful independent art due to its ability to convey infinite expressions. He claims that instrumental music’s advancement is attributed to its unique essence and prowess in the face. According to him, Beethoven’s work is exceptional compared to Mozart and Haydn because his music discloses tragedy and unbounded capacity for evil, which, according to him, is romantic.
While vocal music can evoke emotional reactions, instrumental music enhances our creativity. It stimulates the brain’s functioning, improves reasoning as well as memory. This art improves one’s patience and confidence in self-expression. Originality in modulations is felt in instrumental performance, unlike vocal music. This kind of music explores the soul’s depths and takes us to a fantasy world beyond normalcy. Therefore, music communicates emotions by expressing joy, excitement, fear, sadness, and conveying intensity.
Hoffmann’s argument that improvement in the means of expression is disputable. His assessment is conventional since music is the universal form of communication; variation in music composition and performance affects the music’s impact on the audience. Instrumental music has always been, and still, a masterpiece means of expression of who we are and what we feel.
Reference
Allgemeine musikalische Zeitung (Leipzig), 1810, trans. Martyn Clarke. In David Charlton, ed., E.T.A. Hoffmann’s Musical Writings (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1989), pp. 96–7, 98.