Meaning: The quote by George Crumb reflects his contemplation on the ever-expanding array of musical resources available in the modern world. George Crumb is an American composer known for his innovative and avant-garde approach to music composition. Throughout his career, he has explored a wide range of musical styles and techniques, and his quote suggests a desire to bring cohesion and structure to this diverse landscape.

In this quote, Crumb acknowledges the richness and variety of contemporary musical resources. He recognizes the vast array of musical traditions, styles, and technologies that are available to composers and musicians today. However, he also expresses a sense of the need for a more unified and organized approach to these resources. Crumb's use of the word "synthesize" suggests a desire to bring together these diverse elements into a harmonious whole, creating a sense of unity and coherence within the musical world.

Crumb's reference to the "task of the future" implies that this process of synthesis and organization is an ongoing and evolving challenge. He sees it as a task that will be taken up by future generations of composers and musicians, suggesting that the pursuit of unity and coherence in music is a goal that requires ongoing effort and innovation.

The concept of synthesizing diversity into a more organic and well-ordered procedure can be applied not only to music but also to a wide range of fields and disciplines. In the context of music, this could involve finding ways to integrate and combine different musical traditions, styles, and technologies to create new and innovative forms of expression. It could also involve developing systems and methods for organizing and categorizing the vast amount of musical material that is available in the digital age.

Crumb's quote also raises questions about the nature of creativity and innovation in a world of abundant resources. How can composers and musicians navigate the wealth of available material and find new ways to combine and recombine it in original and meaningful ways? How can they balance the need for structure and organization with the desire for freedom and exploration?

One interpretation of Crumb's quote is that he is advocating for a balanced approach to musical creativity—one that embraces the diversity of available resources while also seeking to create a sense of coherence and unity. This approach may involve drawing inspiration from a wide range of sources, experimenting with different techniques and technologies, and actively seeking out new connections and relationships between disparate elements.

In summary, George Crumb's quote reflects his contemplation of the challenges and opportunities presented by the sheer diversity of contemporary musical resources. It speaks to the need for future generations to find ways to synthesize and organize this diversity into a more cohesive and well-ordered musical landscape. It also raises important questions about creativity, innovation, and the ongoing evolution of musical expression in a world of abundant resources.