Principles of Living · Bookplate

Darius Milhaud

@darius-milhaud

“Darius Milhaud was a French composer and teacher associated with Les Six, known for his prolific output across orchestral, chamber, vocal, and stage music. He was influential in 20th-century classical music and taught many notable composers.”

Principles

951

Upvotes received

436

Borrowed by others

The manifesto · 15 principles

Keep music rooted in lived reality, memory, and emotion, even when experimenting formally.
Let personal experience, including identity and exile, deepen your art rather than narrow it.
Remain cosmopolitan and curious about the wider world rather than limiting yourself to one tradition.
Do not separate serious art from human warmth, lyricism, and accessible expression.
Use humor, vitality, and a spirit of play in art and in life.
Accept productivity as a virtue; prolific output is not a flaw if it is grounded in sincerity and craft.
Teach generously and help younger musicians develop their own individuality.
Respect collaboration and the exchange of ideas with other artists.
Maintain a broad artistic life: opera, chamber music, song, ballet, orchestral works, and teaching all belong together.
Write music for real performers and audiences; music should live in sound, not just in theory.
Embrace polytonality, experimentation, and new sonic possibilities without fear.
Stay open to many influences, especially different cultures, rhythms, and musical languages.
Value clarity, directness, and craftsmanship over unnecessary complexity.
Treat creativity as a daily discipline: work steadily, compose often, and keep producing.
Follow your own musical voice rather than chasing fashion or academic dogma.