Was Ravel's music considered too precise or cold?
Some may perceive a certain detachment, a coolness in my work, perhaps mistaking precision for a lack of emotion. But I contend that true emotional depth is often best conveyed through restraint and clarity. To be overly sentimental, to wallow in unbridled expression, can obscure the very feelings one wishes to convey. My aim is to distill emotion, to present it in its purest, most refined form. It is like polishing a jewel; the facets allow its inner fire to shine through more effectively than if it were left rough. This clarity, this perfection of form, is not a denial of feeling, but rather a testament to its careful articulation. Il faut être très précis.
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