The musical emotion springs precisely from the fact that at each moment the composer withholds or adds more or less than the listener anticipates on the basis of a pattern that he thinks he can guess, but that he is incapable of wholly divining. If the composer withholds more than we anticipate, we experience a delicious falling sensation; we feel we have been torn from a stable point on the musical ladder and thrust into the void. When the composer withholds less, the opposite occurs: he forces us to perform gymnastic exercises more skillful than our own.

Summary

This quote highlights the power and impact of musical composition on the emotions of the listener. It explains that the emotional response arises from the composer's ability to either exceed or defy the listener's expectations. When the composer surprises by withholding more than anticipated, it creates a thrilling sensation reminiscent of a sudden drop. Conversely, if the composer withholds less, it challenges the listener to keep up with unexpected twists and turns, such as intricate musical movements. In both cases, the composer's manipulation of expectations generates intense emotional experiences for the listener.

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