Meaning: The quote by Pierre Schaeffer delves into the fundamental differences between traditional classical music and contemporary music, particularly in terms of their creative processes and execution. Schaeffer, a French composer, was a significant figure in the development of musique concrète, an experimental form of music that utilized recorded sounds as its primary material. His assertion sheds light on the unique approaches to composition and performance that distinguish classical and contemporary music.

Classical music, rooted in a rich tradition that spans centuries, typically begins with an abstract musical schema. Composers conceptualize their ideas in the form of musical themes, motifs, or harmonic progressions, often relying on the conventions and structures established by previous generations of composers. This abstract schema serves as the blueprint for the composition, guiding the development of the musical work.

Once the composer has formulated the abstract musical schema, it is then notated, or written down using musical notation. This process involves translating the composer's conceptualized ideas into a tangible form that can be interpreted and performed by musicians. The act of notation serves as a crucial intermediary step, capturing the composer's vision in a standardized written language that can be communicated and replicated.

Finally, the abstract musical schema, now transcribed in notation, is expressed in concrete sound during the performance. Musicians bring the composition to life by interpreting the notated score and producing the actual sounds that embody the composer's original vision. This live performance represents the culmination of the creative process, as the abstract ideas are realized and presented to an audience in a tangible, audible form.

Schaeffer's quote highlights the sequential nature of the classical music composition and performance process, emphasizing the transition from abstraction to concrete expression. It underscores the structured, methodical approach that characterizes traditional classical music, where the composer's initial concepts evolve through notation and ultimately manifest as sonic experiences.

In contrast, contemporary music, particularly the experimental genre of musique concrète championed by Schaeffer, challenges the traditional paradigm by directly utilizing recorded sounds as the raw material for composition. In musique concrète, the creative process often begins with the collection of sounds from the environment, ranging from everyday noises to manipulated recordings. These sounds are then manipulated, transformed, and arranged to create compositions that defy the conventions of traditional musical notation.

The quote by Schaeffer encapsulates the divergence between the abstract, notated approach of classical music and the innovative, sound-centric methodology of musique concrète. It serves as a testament to the evolving landscape of musical expression, where the boundaries of creativity and composition are continually pushed and redefined.

In conclusion, Pierre Schaeffer's quote offers a thought-provoking insight into the contrasting approaches to music composition and performance. It underscores the traditional trajectory of classical music, where abstract musical ideas are translated into notation and ultimately realized in live performance. Simultaneously, it sheds light on the avant-garde ethos of musique concrète, where sound itself becomes the primary medium for artistic exploration. This juxtaposition invites reflection on the diverse paths taken by composers and musicians in their quest to innovate and express through music.