Meaning: The quote "It is not hard to compose, but what is fabulously hard is to leave the superfluous notes under the table" by Johannes Brahms, a well-known composer, reflects the challenge of creating music that is both expressive and concise. Brahms was a prominent figure in the Romantic period of classical music, known for his meticulous approach to composition and his ability to craft rich, complex works. In this quote, he highlights the difficulty of editing and refining one's musical ideas to achieve a sense of clarity and purpose in the final composition.

When Brahms speaks of composing not being hard, he is likely referring to the act of generating musical ideas and themes. Many composers, including Brahms himself, often found inspiration in a wide range of sources, such as nature, literature, or personal experiences. The initial creative process of coming up with melodies, harmonies, and rhythms may indeed flow relatively easily for some composers. However, as Brahms suggests, the real challenge lies in the subsequent refinement and distillation of these musical materials.

Brahms' reference to leaving the "superfluous notes under the table" speaks to the necessity of editing and pruning one's compositions. Just as a writer must revise and edit their prose to eliminate unnecessary words or phrases, a composer must carefully consider which musical elements are essential to the expression of their ideas and which detract from the overall impact of the work. This process of discernment and selective omission is what Brahms characterizes as "fabulously hard."

In the context of music composition, the concept of leaving the superfluous notes under the table can be interpreted in several ways. It may refer to the practice of omitting extraneous embellishments or ornamentation that do not contribute to the core musical content. In the realm of orchestration, it could involve the careful arrangement and allocation of instrumental voices to ensure that each part serves a meaningful purpose within the overall texture. Additionally, it speaks to the art of economy in musical storytelling, where every note and gesture should serve a deliberate expressive function.

Brahms' own compositions exemplify this principle of economy and refinement. His symphonies, chamber music, and piano works are celebrated for their structural integrity and the careful development of thematic material. In these works, Brahms demonstrates a mastery of form and motivic development, using a relatively economical set of musical ideas to create expansive and emotionally resonant compositions.

In a broader sense, Brahms' quote can be applied beyond the realm of music to any creative endeavor. The challenge of distilling one's ideas to their essence, eliminating the extraneous, and achieving a sense of clarity and purpose is a universal one. Whether in visual arts, literature, or any other form of creative expression, the process of refinement and editing is often where the most demanding and transformative work takes place.

In conclusion, Johannes Brahms' quote encapsulates the demanding nature of artistic refinement and the importance of discernment in creative expression. Composing music, like any form of artistic creation, involves not only the generation of ideas but also the rigorous process of shaping and refining those ideas. By recognizing the difficulty of leaving the superfluous notes under the table, Brahms highlights the profound artistic discipline required to create works of enduring significance and impact.