Interview Summary
This person selected a piece of music from an orchestra, called “Adagietto” by Gustav Mauler. They like how thoughtful and detailed it is, and all the emotion it brings out, because the tempo is slow, so it feels like too much but not enough at the same time. They are a string player so; they identify with part of it. This piece is familiar to them because they played it before, and one of their all-time favorites. This person finds something different every time they re-interact with this piece, the first time they heard it was when they were a High School Junior and did not like it as it was too hard. This brings a feeling of nostalgia and peace, since it is very calm and builds up into exiting moments, but there is a sense of longing still in it. When this person first played it, it was in their chamber orchestra, with about 10 people, including their orchestra director who they are still very close to this day. This piece holds a happy memory for this person, and they can get lost in the artwork. This piece reminds them of why they choose to study music, why they love it so much, and how music can connect to other people.
This piece reminds them that they need to slow down in life, they realized that they get stressed about so many different things, and this piece calms them down and connected to the world, the present moment, and the people around them.
This person was 17 when they first heard this piece and perceive it as high quality. They believe this artwork is different in terms of its build up and making you wait for the moment, highlighting the theme to be in the present.
Interview Transcript
Interviewer: Okay, so in this interview we are interested in asking you to tell us about interacting with an artwork that was created by another artist. We are going to ask you to describe it in detail.
Participant: Sure, I was going to do a piece of music.
What are the important details?
Interviewer: Could you describe it for me and like what are the important details in the piece?
Participant: Sure. I really like how slow and thoughtful it is. I feel like it takes so long to kind of build up to that finally and you are like just waiting and waiting for this kind of big moment to happen, and it finally happens, and just the detail of the harp part and the interactions between all of these different parts and the grammaticism, and you know just all this just emotion, and it feels like so much but so little at the same time because of the tempo being so slow.
I just really love this piece. I love that its strings because I am a string player, so I identify with that aspect of it, that this is, you know, only strings and its part of the full symphony.
The rest of the orchestra is just resting and not playing, so I like that in a full symphony it's just a strings only movement too, I really like that part of it. Yeah, I just love this piece. I just think it is so beautiful. Some people might say it is boring, but I just love how thoughtful and detailed it is really when you really focus in on it.
Interviewer: Thank you. Could just like tell me the name of the piece and like the composer?
Participant: Yes. So, this is by Gustav Mauler. It’s the “Adagietto” from symphony number five.
Why did you choose this piece? (Specialness)
Interviewer: Okay, so why did you choose to talk about this for the study?
Participant: I guess it's just kind of in my mind because Cleveland orchestra is playing it this weekend. So, it is kind of present up there for that reason. I have played this piece before, so it was familiar to me. And it is just whenever I think of one my favorite pieces, I think of this one, so I was like oh I’ll just choose this one because it is one of my all-time favorites. Yeah, symphony number five. It is one of my favorites, so.
Process of Interaction
What led up to the interaction with this piece? What motivated you to explore it?
Interviewer: Okay, thank you. So now, please tell me about your experience and process of interacting with this artwork by answering the following questions.
So, what led up to this interaction and what motivated you to explore the piece?
Participant: I guess, so I have played it. I have interacted with it several times, I feel like, this particular piece. But I find something different from it every time I come back to it.
The first time I interacted with it I was in high school. I was a junior and I played it, and it was really challenging so I actually didn’t like it that much. Up until when we performed it, and it was just such a feeling of just that flow kind of experience that I just loved this piece ever since.
We worked so hard on it. And then, I saw it live at the Cleveland orchestra my senior year and it was just even more moving to hear a professional orchestra play it, not high schoolers. And now, I feel like I just kind of turn it on every once in a while, as one of my favorite pieces to listen to. And I just chose it for this because whenever I think of one of my favorite pieces this one comes to mind and I am going to go see it on Saturday, again, so.
Was there something that was intended to be expressed through this piece?
Interviewer: So, was there something that wanted or needed to express through this artwork?
Participant: I guess for me, I feel a little bit like there is kind of like this feeling of nostalgia in it, a little bit but also kind of being at peace.
Because it is very calm, but it then it still builds up to have these exciting moments, but then it feels like there is some kind of sense of longing in it still for me. So, kind of this joy, but still this longing for, I don’t know, maybe reflecting on what's happened, being thankful for what's happened, what you have been through.
When/Where did the creation of this piece happen?
Interviewer: Alright, so your kind of already talked about this a little bit. So, when, and where did like this experience happen?
Participant: Yeah so, the same thing we kind of talked about before, right. I started playing, I played it in high school for the first time and then I heard it live in the next year, or the year after that for the first time. And now I just listen to it on a recording and yeah.
Was anyone else involved?
Interviewer: Is there anyone involved, like besides you?
Participant: So, when we played it, it was my chamber orchestra which was about ten people at the time. So, we were really kind of a close-knit group, and my orchestra director was involved, and she and I are actually still really close now so that relationship is really important to me.
And my really good friend who was a harpist who wasn’t in the chamber orchestra, but we brought her in to play the harp part for it. She was involved, so it makes me think of her too.
What were you thinking and feeling at different times throughout the process of interacting with this artwork?
Interviewer: So, what were you feeling and thinking at the different times throughout the process of interacting with the artwork? How did you feel at the beginning, the middle, and in the end?
Participant: I feel like listening to it now, I feel a little bit nostalgic, but also just happy. It just makes me happy. It's kind of a happy piece for me. But also, I feel like it really gets me just thinking about the music. I kind of just get lost in it. And this piece in particular, I just really like just to get completely absorbed by it. And just kind of lose sense of time and that kind of flow feeling.
Can you describe any high points, low points or challenges, or turning points along the way?
Interviewer: Did you have like any high points, low points or challenges or turning points along the way you want to describe?
Participant: When we played this piece, yes, there were some low points, because it was really challenging to learn just technically, but then kind of overcoming that and getting to that performance. I just remember being in that performance feeling so focused, and I feel like, I kind of feel that focus every time I listen to this piece now. I just get totally involved in it, again just kind of lost in the music. I feel like that is always a high point for me whenever I feel like, you know, you kind of lose sense of time, it’s really kind of fun.
Interviewer: So, let’s talk about the impact of the artwork on you and your life. So, what did you learn from the process of interacting with the artwork? Did you learn anything about yourself?
Let’s talk about the impact of the artwork on you and your life.
What did you learn from the process of interacting with the artwork? Did you learn anything about yourself?
Participant: I guess that I love music.
I feel like I learn that through every piece, and it is just sometimes hard, like when you come to college and you’re a music major because music kind of becomes your job. So, sometimes like returning to pieces like this, that mean a lot to me emotionally, and just I find so beautiful, it kind of inspires me to like “Yes, this is why I love music, this is why I do this.” Kind of returning to those pieces every time I have that experience of, “Right, this is why I do this, this is why I love music.”
Because sometimes like theory classes and practicing gets to be like, just to be lot, but yeah.
Do you think the artist intended for the work to affect others or the world in any particular way?
Interviewer: So, did you think the composer intended for the work to affect others or the world in any particular way?
Participant: That’s a good question. I don’t really know the history of the piece very well.
Participant: I am not sure. I am sure he had an intention; I am not sure what that intention is. I feel like it’s reflective. I would think it would be trying to inspire people to just be reflective, because I feel that is the general mood that anyone can take away from the piece regardless of their experience with it.
Participant: But I don’t know the actual history of the piece.
Did your experience with the artwork affect your understanding of others or the world?
Interviewer: Okay, thank you. So, did your experience with the piece affect your understanding about others or the world?
Participant: That is a good question. I would say probably yes, just in the sense that it makes me think about music and how music connects other people, and how it can reach an audience, and kind of how music and people interact, and the musicians and the audience, how those people interact. Yeah, I would say in that sense.
When people think about themselves, they see part of themselves as deeply true, real, or authentic.
If this idea resonates with you, did you learn anything about your true nature during the process of interacting with the artwork? Did you have any insights about your own authentic (or inauthentic) self?
Interviewer: Okay, so when some people think about themselves, they see parts of themselves as deeply true, real, or authentic. If this idea resonates with you, did you learn anything about your true nature during the process of interacting with this artwork? Did you like have any insights about your authentic or inauthentic self?
Participant: I feel like kind of going back to that idea of just kind of the love music. Again, sometimes realizing about myself that I get stressed out about things that aren’t as important, but then coming back to this idea. And I feel that not even in music but even just overall in life. I get stressed out about all of these different things that are going on, and sometimes you just need to slow down. Like, the piece just feels so slow, and you want it to go faster and faster and faster, but it doesn’t. It makes you wait and pause and really be in the moment. So, I feel like maybe in that way it kind of reminds me to be in the moment more.
Some people believe in ultimate meaning. This is defined as deep, underlying meaning that transcends subjective personal meaning. It is about the nature of existence and identity, and it may include ideas about the significance of suffering as well as spirituality. If this idea resonates with you, did you learn anything about ultimate meaning during the process of interacting with the artwork?
Interviewer: So, some people believe an ultimate meaning this is defined as deep underlying meaning that transcends subjective personal meaning. It is about nature of existence and identity and may include ideas about the significance of suffering as well as spirituality. If this idea resonates with you, did you learn anything about the ultimate meaning during the process of interacting with this artwork?
Participant: I am a somewhat religious person, so I guess I do kind of have that background. And I think it just, you know, I’m Christian, I am catholic, so I feel like, you know, I have this underlying belief that God made the world to be beautiful. So, like having beautiful music that is to me a beautiful thing that kind of was created to make our world great and that you know comes from a higher power. So I feel like maybe in that way, yeah.
Some people believe or perceive a reality beyond the physical or material world. This may include religious beliefs/experiences (such as perceived interactions with God) but also may include mystical or transcendent experiences, or interaction with spirits.
Did you have any kind of these experiences during the interaction with the artwork?
Interviewer: Okay, thank you. So, some people also believe or can, or want to believe, or perceive a reality beyond our material world this may include religious beliefs or experiences such as perceived interaction with God. This may also include mystical or transcendental experiences or interactions with spirits. Did you have any kinds of these experiences during the interaction with this artwork?
Participant: I don’t think so, I wouldn’t go that far.
Interviewer: Okay. Even if you do not experience, have an experience like this, you may have felt some sort of inspiration, guidance, or encouragement from non-physical or spiritual or you may have felt some sort of sense of connection. Did you have any kinds of these experiences during the interaction with this artwork?
Participant: I would say yes. Feelings of inspiration and being connected. Just to the world, the present moment, the people around me, yeah.
Interviewer: Okay. What was this experience like? And did it affect you as a person? Or like your religious beliefs at all?
Participant: I don’t think it impacted my religious beliefs, but just yeah it makes me kind of more reflective, but not a huge change in anything.
How old were you when you created this piece?
Interviewer: Okay. And then, I have a couple of other questions. So how old were you when you first interacted with this artwork?
Participant: Oh, seventeen.
How do you perceive the quality of the work?
Interviewer: How do you perceive the quality of this piece? Okay. How do you perceive the quality of this piece?
Participant: I would say it is a very good piece. High quality.
Interviewer: Do you know, what is it about this artwork that distinguishes it from others and what makes it special?
Participant: That’s a good question.
I feel like the buildup it has. I know I kind of mentioned this previously. The making you wait for that moment. I haven’t, sometimes there are pieces that have that, but I haven’t had any piece make me feel like that, like this piece does. I am really getting into that flow moment, which does happen with other pieces, but for me this one really highlights that theme of being in the moment and just kind of being at peace and being with the music, and just sitting with the music. Yeah.
Did you have any goals when interacting with this piece?
Interviewer: Okay, thank you. So, did you have any goals when interacting with this piece?
Participant: When we initially played it, the goal was to play it well and sound well. But now, it is nice to not have that goal. To just enjoy it, just being able to just listen to it without necessarily trying to get anything out of it. Just listening to it for the sake of appreciating it.
What was going on in your life around the time you created this artwork?
Interviewer: Okay. And what was going on in your life around the time that you interacted with this artwork?
Participant: Let’s see. I was in high school. I was living with my family. And I was kind of deciding that I wanted to study music after high school.
Participant: And I was actually still in the process of recovering from a performance injury. So, I had an injury that prevented me from playing for a while, so this was kind of still coming out of that. Yeah. That was pretty much it, no other groundbreaking life things going on.
Interviewer: Okay, that was great. Thank you very much.
This person selected a piece of music from an orchestra, called “Adagietto” by Gustav Mauler. They like how thoughtful and detailed it is, and all the emotion it brings out, because the tempo is slow, so it feels like too much but not enough at the same time. They are a string player so; they identify with part of it. This piece is familiar to them because they played it before, and one of their all-time favorites. This person finds something different every time they re-interact with this piece, the first time they heard it was when they were a High School Junior and did not like it as it was too hard. This brings a feeling of nostalgia and peace, since it is very calm and builds up into exiting moments, but there is a sense of longing still in it. When this person first played it, it was in their chamber orchestra, with about 10 people, including their orchestra director who they are still very close to this day. This piece holds a happy memory for this person, and they can get lost in the artwork. This piece reminds them of why they choose to study music, why they love it so much, and how music can connect to other people.
This piece reminds them that they need to slow down in life, they realized that they get stressed about so many different things, and this piece calms them down and connected to the world, the present moment, and the people around them.
This person was 17 when they first heard this piece and perceive it as high quality. They believe this artwork is different in terms of its build up and making you wait for the moment, highlighting the theme to be in the present.
Interview Transcript
Interviewer: Okay, so in this interview we are interested in asking you to tell us about interacting with an artwork that was created by another artist. We are going to ask you to describe it in detail.
Participant: Sure, I was going to do a piece of music.
What are the important details?
Interviewer: Could you describe it for me and like what are the important details in the piece?
Participant: Sure. I really like how slow and thoughtful it is. I feel like it takes so long to kind of build up to that finally and you are like just waiting and waiting for this kind of big moment to happen, and it finally happens, and just the detail of the harp part and the interactions between all of these different parts and the grammaticism, and you know just all this just emotion, and it feels like so much but so little at the same time because of the tempo being so slow.
I just really love this piece. I love that its strings because I am a string player, so I identify with that aspect of it, that this is, you know, only strings and its part of the full symphony.
The rest of the orchestra is just resting and not playing, so I like that in a full symphony it's just a strings only movement too, I really like that part of it. Yeah, I just love this piece. I just think it is so beautiful. Some people might say it is boring, but I just love how thoughtful and detailed it is really when you really focus in on it.
Interviewer: Thank you. Could just like tell me the name of the piece and like the composer?
Participant: Yes. So, this is by Gustav Mauler. It’s the “Adagietto” from symphony number five.
Why did you choose this piece? (Specialness)
Interviewer: Okay, so why did you choose to talk about this for the study?
Participant: I guess it's just kind of in my mind because Cleveland orchestra is playing it this weekend. So, it is kind of present up there for that reason. I have played this piece before, so it was familiar to me. And it is just whenever I think of one my favorite pieces, I think of this one, so I was like oh I’ll just choose this one because it is one of my all-time favorites. Yeah, symphony number five. It is one of my favorites, so.
Process of Interaction
What led up to the interaction with this piece? What motivated you to explore it?
Interviewer: Okay, thank you. So now, please tell me about your experience and process of interacting with this artwork by answering the following questions.
So, what led up to this interaction and what motivated you to explore the piece?
Participant: I guess, so I have played it. I have interacted with it several times, I feel like, this particular piece. But I find something different from it every time I come back to it.
The first time I interacted with it I was in high school. I was a junior and I played it, and it was really challenging so I actually didn’t like it that much. Up until when we performed it, and it was just such a feeling of just that flow kind of experience that I just loved this piece ever since.
We worked so hard on it. And then, I saw it live at the Cleveland orchestra my senior year and it was just even more moving to hear a professional orchestra play it, not high schoolers. And now, I feel like I just kind of turn it on every once in a while, as one of my favorite pieces to listen to. And I just chose it for this because whenever I think of one of my favorite pieces this one comes to mind and I am going to go see it on Saturday, again, so.
Was there something that was intended to be expressed through this piece?
Interviewer: So, was there something that wanted or needed to express through this artwork?
Participant: I guess for me, I feel a little bit like there is kind of like this feeling of nostalgia in it, a little bit but also kind of being at peace.
Because it is very calm, but it then it still builds up to have these exciting moments, but then it feels like there is some kind of sense of longing in it still for me. So, kind of this joy, but still this longing for, I don’t know, maybe reflecting on what's happened, being thankful for what's happened, what you have been through.
When/Where did the creation of this piece happen?
Interviewer: Alright, so your kind of already talked about this a little bit. So, when, and where did like this experience happen?
Participant: Yeah so, the same thing we kind of talked about before, right. I started playing, I played it in high school for the first time and then I heard it live in the next year, or the year after that for the first time. And now I just listen to it on a recording and yeah.
Was anyone else involved?
Interviewer: Is there anyone involved, like besides you?
Participant: So, when we played it, it was my chamber orchestra which was about ten people at the time. So, we were really kind of a close-knit group, and my orchestra director was involved, and she and I are actually still really close now so that relationship is really important to me.
And my really good friend who was a harpist who wasn’t in the chamber orchestra, but we brought her in to play the harp part for it. She was involved, so it makes me think of her too.
What were you thinking and feeling at different times throughout the process of interacting with this artwork?
Interviewer: So, what were you feeling and thinking at the different times throughout the process of interacting with the artwork? How did you feel at the beginning, the middle, and in the end?
Participant: I feel like listening to it now, I feel a little bit nostalgic, but also just happy. It just makes me happy. It's kind of a happy piece for me. But also, I feel like it really gets me just thinking about the music. I kind of just get lost in it. And this piece in particular, I just really like just to get completely absorbed by it. And just kind of lose sense of time and that kind of flow feeling.
Can you describe any high points, low points or challenges, or turning points along the way?
Interviewer: Did you have like any high points, low points or challenges or turning points along the way you want to describe?
Participant: When we played this piece, yes, there were some low points, because it was really challenging to learn just technically, but then kind of overcoming that and getting to that performance. I just remember being in that performance feeling so focused, and I feel like, I kind of feel that focus every time I listen to this piece now. I just get totally involved in it, again just kind of lost in the music. I feel like that is always a high point for me whenever I feel like, you know, you kind of lose sense of time, it’s really kind of fun.
Interviewer: So, let’s talk about the impact of the artwork on you and your life. So, what did you learn from the process of interacting with the artwork? Did you learn anything about yourself?
Let’s talk about the impact of the artwork on you and your life.
What did you learn from the process of interacting with the artwork? Did you learn anything about yourself?
Participant: I guess that I love music.
I feel like I learn that through every piece, and it is just sometimes hard, like when you come to college and you’re a music major because music kind of becomes your job. So, sometimes like returning to pieces like this, that mean a lot to me emotionally, and just I find so beautiful, it kind of inspires me to like “Yes, this is why I love music, this is why I do this.” Kind of returning to those pieces every time I have that experience of, “Right, this is why I do this, this is why I love music.”
Because sometimes like theory classes and practicing gets to be like, just to be lot, but yeah.
Do you think the artist intended for the work to affect others or the world in any particular way?
Interviewer: So, did you think the composer intended for the work to affect others or the world in any particular way?
Participant: That’s a good question. I don’t really know the history of the piece very well.
Participant: I am not sure. I am sure he had an intention; I am not sure what that intention is. I feel like it’s reflective. I would think it would be trying to inspire people to just be reflective, because I feel that is the general mood that anyone can take away from the piece regardless of their experience with it.
Participant: But I don’t know the actual history of the piece.
Did your experience with the artwork affect your understanding of others or the world?
Interviewer: Okay, thank you. So, did your experience with the piece affect your understanding about others or the world?
Participant: That is a good question. I would say probably yes, just in the sense that it makes me think about music and how music connects other people, and how it can reach an audience, and kind of how music and people interact, and the musicians and the audience, how those people interact. Yeah, I would say in that sense.
When people think about themselves, they see part of themselves as deeply true, real, or authentic.
If this idea resonates with you, did you learn anything about your true nature during the process of interacting with the artwork? Did you have any insights about your own authentic (or inauthentic) self?
Interviewer: Okay, so when some people think about themselves, they see parts of themselves as deeply true, real, or authentic. If this idea resonates with you, did you learn anything about your true nature during the process of interacting with this artwork? Did you like have any insights about your authentic or inauthentic self?
Participant: I feel like kind of going back to that idea of just kind of the love music. Again, sometimes realizing about myself that I get stressed out about things that aren’t as important, but then coming back to this idea. And I feel that not even in music but even just overall in life. I get stressed out about all of these different things that are going on, and sometimes you just need to slow down. Like, the piece just feels so slow, and you want it to go faster and faster and faster, but it doesn’t. It makes you wait and pause and really be in the moment. So, I feel like maybe in that way it kind of reminds me to be in the moment more.
Some people believe in ultimate meaning. This is defined as deep, underlying meaning that transcends subjective personal meaning. It is about the nature of existence and identity, and it may include ideas about the significance of suffering as well as spirituality. If this idea resonates with you, did you learn anything about ultimate meaning during the process of interacting with the artwork?
Interviewer: So, some people believe an ultimate meaning this is defined as deep underlying meaning that transcends subjective personal meaning. It is about nature of existence and identity and may include ideas about the significance of suffering as well as spirituality. If this idea resonates with you, did you learn anything about the ultimate meaning during the process of interacting with this artwork?
Participant: I am a somewhat religious person, so I guess I do kind of have that background. And I think it just, you know, I’m Christian, I am catholic, so I feel like, you know, I have this underlying belief that God made the world to be beautiful. So, like having beautiful music that is to me a beautiful thing that kind of was created to make our world great and that you know comes from a higher power. So I feel like maybe in that way, yeah.
Some people believe or perceive a reality beyond the physical or material world. This may include religious beliefs/experiences (such as perceived interactions with God) but also may include mystical or transcendent experiences, or interaction with spirits.
Did you have any kind of these experiences during the interaction with the artwork?
Interviewer: Okay, thank you. So, some people also believe or can, or want to believe, or perceive a reality beyond our material world this may include religious beliefs or experiences such as perceived interaction with God. This may also include mystical or transcendental experiences or interactions with spirits. Did you have any kinds of these experiences during the interaction with this artwork?
Participant: I don’t think so, I wouldn’t go that far.
Interviewer: Okay. Even if you do not experience, have an experience like this, you may have felt some sort of inspiration, guidance, or encouragement from non-physical or spiritual or you may have felt some sort of sense of connection. Did you have any kinds of these experiences during the interaction with this artwork?
Participant: I would say yes. Feelings of inspiration and being connected. Just to the world, the present moment, the people around me, yeah.
Interviewer: Okay. What was this experience like? And did it affect you as a person? Or like your religious beliefs at all?
Participant: I don’t think it impacted my religious beliefs, but just yeah it makes me kind of more reflective, but not a huge change in anything.
How old were you when you created this piece?
Interviewer: Okay. And then, I have a couple of other questions. So how old were you when you first interacted with this artwork?
Participant: Oh, seventeen.
How do you perceive the quality of the work?
Interviewer: How do you perceive the quality of this piece? Okay. How do you perceive the quality of this piece?
Participant: I would say it is a very good piece. High quality.
Interviewer: Do you know, what is it about this artwork that distinguishes it from others and what makes it special?
Participant: That’s a good question.
I feel like the buildup it has. I know I kind of mentioned this previously. The making you wait for that moment. I haven’t, sometimes there are pieces that have that, but I haven’t had any piece make me feel like that, like this piece does. I am really getting into that flow moment, which does happen with other pieces, but for me this one really highlights that theme of being in the moment and just kind of being at peace and being with the music, and just sitting with the music. Yeah.
Did you have any goals when interacting with this piece?
Interviewer: Okay, thank you. So, did you have any goals when interacting with this piece?
Participant: When we initially played it, the goal was to play it well and sound well. But now, it is nice to not have that goal. To just enjoy it, just being able to just listen to it without necessarily trying to get anything out of it. Just listening to it for the sake of appreciating it.
What was going on in your life around the time you created this artwork?
Interviewer: Okay. And what was going on in your life around the time that you interacted with this artwork?
Participant: Let’s see. I was in high school. I was living with my family. And I was kind of deciding that I wanted to study music after high school.
Participant: And I was actually still in the process of recovering from a performance injury. So, I had an injury that prevented me from playing for a while, so this was kind of still coming out of that. Yeah. That was pretty much it, no other groundbreaking life things going on.
Interviewer: Okay, that was great. Thank you very much.
Proudly powered by Weebly