Polish composer Krzysztof Penderecki was well-known for his avant-garde compositions and contributions to classical music in the 20th century. He saw an explosion of new theories, methods, and concepts in the music industry during his career, leaving many musicians feeling overtaken by the sheer amount of innovation.
Imagine being in a huge library with thousands of new books on various topics added every day. You eventually begin to feel overwhelmed by the amount of information available to you and wonder how to make sense of it all or figure out how to incorporate these various sources into your knowledge and work. This resonates somewhat with Penderecki's sentiment.
He discusses the necessity of synthesis in the aforementioned quote—figuring out how to combine disparate components from various fields. In the same way that a composer uses notes and rhythms to express emotions and create harmony, musicians like Penderecki wanted to find common ground among all the new discoveries of their era.
In creative fields, Penderecki's statement reflects a larger concern: how to stay coherent and united in the face of an era full of innovation. It emphasizes the value of introspection and synthesis in artistic expression, arguing that in the midst of limitless possibilities, artists must also look for connection and clarity.
By highlighting the necessity of a "musical language" that can bridge disparate styles and innovations, Penderecki highlights the age-old problem that artists face: striking a balance between embracing novelty and producing something coherent and meaningful. This idea is relevant not only in music but also in other fields where creativity is quick and complex.