Language as the key to music

What is unusual about this book is not only its format (24 x 17.5 cm, landscape) and thickness (4 cm), but also its approach to its subject, music as a language, which, according to Felix Mendelssohn, is more precise than words. We have partly unlearned this language through generalized listening, time pressure when working on interpretations or the fixation on a single question: "How do I master my instrument?"

Eberhard Feltz, violin and chamber music teacher at the Hanns Eisler School of Music Berlin and mentor to many well-known chamber music ensembles, has published a selection of his musical reflections in book form on the occasion of his eightieth birthday at the behest of the director of the Davos Festival young artists in concert: More precise than words. Intuitive finding - an introduction, 44 exercises and a "solution section" that answers the questions raised. This is usually done by reprinting the original masterpiece, which the learners have seen altered or abridged in the question. The "finding" comes close to reproducing the composing process. Eberhard Feltz has so far hesitated to publish such works because his teaching requires direct response from the students. The reader of this book must conduct this dialog with himself or herself, under the guidance or better: at the suggestion of the author.

What is it actually about? To simplify, we can use the term "phrase". Phrase, or more narrowly formulated: sentence, is a term in language that also describes an elementary form in music. However, the being of music is not rationally accessible. Eberhard Feltz wants to lead us to a sensual perception of music as language by using these exercises and numerous quotes from poets, philosophers and musicians to give us a sense of the meta existence behind the musical figures. The author pleads for a "hearing" of the world in the sense of an inner "contemplation" with all the senses under the guidance of the ear.

And how do students benefit from such activities? Anyone who engages with these "exercises", and does so in a playful way, will gain new insights that will have a direct influence on their approach to music. Reto Bieri, director of the Davos Festival until 2018, where Eberhard Feltz held workshops, is proud of the publication of this book in a luxurious presentation and expresses the hope in his foreword that it will inspire "speculation, study and reflection" (Mozart's letter of July 31, 1778 about his preoccupation with music).

Eberhard Feltz: More precise than words. Intuitives Finden - 44 Übungen, 346 p., Fr. 35.00 plus Fr. 10.00 shipping, self-published by Davos Festival Foundation, 2017, ISBN 978-3-033-06344-0, info@davosfestival.ch