Ear and Taste for Music

Name: Ear and Taste for Music
Author: Samuel Taylor Coleridge

The work explores the distinction between an ear for music and a taste for music, emphasizing that one can appreciate music deeply without possessing technical skill. The author reflects on personal experiences at concerts, contrasting the emotional responses elicited by different composers, particularly favoring Beethoven over Rossini. The narrative shifts to a critique of political events, specifically the Brussels riot, which the author dismisses as a misguided and unjust rebellion, likening it to the folly of the French Revolution. The author expresses a strong opinion on the nature of political uprisings, suggesting that they often stem from irrational fears rather than legitimate grievances. The text also touches on the author's spiritual experiences, particularly the appreciation of the English liturgy after attending church services in rural Scotland, highlighting a newfound recognition of its beauty. This juxtaposition of music and politics serves to illustrate broader themes of perception, value, and the subjective nature of both art and societal movements. Overall, the work presents a nuanced examination of how personal taste and societal events intertwine, revealing the complexities of human experience in both artistic and political realms.

By Samuel Taylor Coleridge · First published 1817 · Genre: Philosophical Essay, Music Criticism, Political Commentary · 345 words

First lines

REVOLUTION.

In politics, what begins in fear usually ends in folly.

What this Textopian page supports

Ear and Taste for Music is listed on Textopian as an essay by Samuel Taylor Coleridge, dated 1817 CE.

This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.

Work type: Essay
Author: Samuel Taylor Coleridge
Date: 1817 CE
Language: English
Genres: Philosophical Essay, Music Criticism, Political Commentary, Literary Criticism, Memoir
Length: 345 words
Structure: 1 section, 7 paragraphs
Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)

Good citation fit

Work identity for Ear and Taste for Music by Samuel Taylor Coleridge
Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
Readability and classroom-planning context
Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph

Discussion starters

What should a reader notice first when entering Ear and Taste for Music?
How does this essay by Samuel Taylor Coleridge fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
Where does Philosophical Essay first become important in the reading?

Similar titles

Genres

Philosophical Essay — The work explores deep reflections on music, taste, and perception, characteristic of philosophical essays.
Music Criticism — The text discusses personal experiences and opinions on various composers and musical pieces, fitting the genre of music criticism.
Political Commentary — The author comments on political events and revolutions, indicating a blend of political commentary within the text.
Literary Criticism — The references to Shakespeare and the analysis of music and poetry suggest elements of literary criticism.