Michael Tippett - Writings

Writings

A frequent broadcaster on the BBC Third Programme from its inception in 1946, Tippett published some of his radio talks in 1958 as a book. He called it Moving into Aquarius. The title refers to the mythical belief in the dawning of a 'new age' under the astrological sign of Aquarius The twin themes are the artist as himself and the artist in relation to society.

I have been writing music for forty years. During those years there have been huge and world-shattering events in which I have been inevitably caught up. Whether society has felt music valuable or needful I have gone on writing because I must. And I know that my true function within a society which embraces all of us, is to continue a tradition, fundamental to our civilization, which goes back into pre-history and will go forward into the unknown future. This tradition is to create images from the depths of the imagination and to give them form whether visual, intellectual or musical. For it is only through images that the inner world communicates at all. Images of the past, shapes of the future. Images of vigour for a decadent period, images of calm for one too violent. Images of reconciliation for worlds torn by division. And in an age of mediocrity and shattered dreams, images of abounding, generous, exuberant beauty.

In 1991 his autobiography Those Twentieth Century Blues was published. Among other insights, this book contains a selection of Tippett's dreams. Peter Heyworth has made the observation that the dreams' "relevance to his creative life became increasingly evident. In particular, the series of works that were to establish his reputation during and after the war and to culminate in The Midsummer Marriage...hove into view. The therapy had worked..." A final collection of the composer's writings was published in 1995 under the title Tippett on Music.