Curt Sachs Quotes

Musicologist
Germany
1881 - 1959

Curt Sachs

Curt Sachs (1881-1959) was a German-American musicologist and ethnomusicologist known for his extensive research and contributions to the study of music history and world music. He was a pioneer in the field of comparative musicology, exploring the connections between different cultures and their musical traditions.Sachs’ notable works include “The History of Musical Instruments” (1940), which remains a standard reference in the field, and “World History of the Dance” (1933), which examines the evolution of dance across different cultures. He also co-authored “Real-Lexikon der Musikinstrumente” (1913), a comprehensive encyclopedia of musical instruments.Sachs was a professor at various universities, including Columbia University and the University of Chicago, and was a founding member of the International Council for Traditional Music. He was a prolific writer, publishing over 500 articles and books on a wide range of musical topics. His work continues to influence and inspire musicologists and ethnomusicologists today.Read Less

4 Inspiring Curt Sachs Quotes

The dance is the mother of the arts, The dance breaks down the distinction of body & soul.

Author, December 25, 2023, Curt Sachs, Expression, Spirituality, Unity, 0

Curt Sachs

Musicologist

· Germany

Whatever the nature of dance, it needs no onlooker, not even a single witness.

Author, December 25, 2023, Curt Sachs, Autonomy, Independence, Self-sufficiency, 0

Curt Sachs

Musicologist

· Germany

Wherever there are four walls, consciousness of direction is far keener.

Author, December 25, 2023, Curt Sachs, Awareness, Perception, Space, 0

Curt Sachs

Musicologist

· Germany

A person can be danced. In all continents the dancers carry little children on their shoulders.

Author, December 25, 2023, Curt Sachs, Connection, Joy, Unity, 0

Curt Sachs

Musicologist

· Germany

Curt Sachs Career Highlights

In 1904, Sachs received his PhD in musicology from the University of Berlin, where he studied under renowned musicologist Hugo Riemann.
From 1909 to 1913, he worked as a music librarian at the Royal Library in Berlin.
In 1913, Sachs became the director of the Phonogramm-Archiv in Berlin, a sound archive dedicated to preserving and studying traditional music from around the world.
In 1919, he published his groundbreaking book “The History of Musical Instruments,” which established him as a leading authority on the subject.
In 1929, Sachs became a professor of musicology at the University of Berlin, where he taught until 1933 when he was forced to leave Germany due to the rise of the Nazi party.
In 1935, he immigrated to the United States and became a professor at New York University, where he taught until his retirement in 1951.
In 1943, Sachs co-founded the International Council for Traditional Music, an organization dedicated to the study and preservation of traditional music from around the world.

Key Contributions by Curt Sachs

Sachs was a pioneer in the field of ethnomusicology, which he defined as the study of music in its cultural context.
He conducted extensive research on traditional music from various cultures, including Africa, Asia, and the Americas.
Sachs developed a classification system for musical instruments based on their physical characteristics and playing techniques, which is still used by musicologists today.
He also made significant contributions to the study of music history, particularly in the areas of medieval and Renaissance music.
Sachs was a prolific writer, publishing over 500 articles and books on a wide range of musical topics.

What Sets Curt Sachs Apart

Sachs’ work was interdisciplinary, combining elements of musicology, anthropology, and sociology. This approach allowed him to gain a deeper understanding of the cultural significance of music.
He was one of the first musicologists to recognize the importance of studying traditional and non-Western music, which was often overlooked by his contemporaries.
Sachs’ research and writings were highly influential in shaping the field of ethnomusicology and establishing it as a legitimate area of study.

Takeaways

Curt Sachs’ career highlights the importance of interdisciplinary approaches in the study of music.
His work also highlights the significance of studying traditional and non-Western music, which can provide valuable insights into different cultures and societies.
Sachs’ contributions to the field of ethnomusicology continue to be relevant and influential today, making him a key figure in the history of musicology.

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