[Republicanprofessor]

Actually, you are interpreting these pretty well. They are much less about emotion (and "feeling good") than are the Expressionists like Matisse. They are more about a cerebral exercise, which could be leading to the "sensory overload" that you experienced.

Comparable musicians at the time include Igor Stravinsky. His Rite of Spring from 1912-13, is emtional and much like Matisse and his Dance. But his later works are also cerebral and sometimes can be seen as patchworks, much like the planes of Cubism. His work after Rite is much less emotional and I can't get into it beyond an intellectual exercise.

In case any one wants to get into the music of the time too:

for Rite:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B000000C0U/qid=1119353850/sr=1-2/ref=sr_1_2/104-1607871-9664746?v=glance&s=classical

For Soldier's Story: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00005M9HW/qid=1119353935/sr=8-13/ref=pd_ka_6/104-1607871-9664746?v=glance&s=music&n=507846

[Republicanprofessor]

Classical Music ping.

I've done this art thread, but since I added something about "classical" music of the time (i.e. Stravinsky), I thought I'd expand the pings to music in case you guys want to chime in.

[Prod Convert]

Firebird is remarkable too. Maybe that marks Stravinsky's homage to Rimsky-Korsakoff and the looming end of the Czarist Russia. Thanks for this wonderful series.

[mabelkitty]

I was unfamiliar with Picasso's earlier work. I really liked all three works from 1912. It shows off his incredible eye and his technical skill. I'm pleasantly surprised.

[mabelkitty]

That's a sad blue.