What's the Sound of Colour? Kandinsky and Music

In this latest episode of ‘Listening in’, I look at the work of Russian artist Wassily Kandinsky and how his paintings were influenced by music. Kandinsky had synesthesia, which meant that when he heard sounds, he saw colour and when he saw colour, he heard music. In this essay, I consider how he thought about colour and form (including what he thought some colours sounded like), as well as considering how his push towards abstraction was to achieve the freedom of expression he felt music had already attained. In particularly, I focus on his 10 ‘Compositions’, which seem to be the pinnacle of his abstract work, and possibly the closest he ever got to music in art.
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FURTHER READING/RESEARCH
Kandinsky: Concerning the Spiritual in Art [PDF] - www.semantikon.com/art/kandins...
Kandinsky: Compositions, MOMA [PDF] - www.moma.org/documents/moma_c...
Kandinsky website (paintings, photographs, biography) - www.wassilykandinsky.net

[@paulbu6003]

This is probably one of the most underrated art channels on youtube!

[@ListeningIn]

Thank you Paul!!

[@Lamadesbois]

I remember sitting on a bench in the Strasbourg museum of modern and contemporary arts. In front of me was the Salon de Musique designed by Kandinsky. At first, there was the color of the walls. One was made of anise tiles, another was deeply dark. Not much happened. But then, after nearly a minute, the abstract figures started to produce sounds in my mind. Some squiggles turned into a violin section, parallel lines became busy percussions, and soon there was a whole symphony of timbre dialoguing before my eyes. The imagined volume of these sounds left me in a state of oceanic awe that carried me around the museum, open to every piece and profoundly enchanted. Your video made me think again about this experience and realise that it was what Kandinsky intended. How inspiring. Thank you.

[@chaimabeha]

This was beautiful! Thank you for this :)

[@ArtHistorywithAlder]

Amazing experience...thanks for sharing!

[@aiya3130]

That's so cool!

[@JoeyGirardin]

Words cannot describe how vastly underrated this channel is

[@Chillerll]

180.000 views are reasonably decent for this type of content, I would say

[@raneanubis]

I’m so so happy you’ve made this, it’s almost brought a tear to my eye. I remember a friend of mine years ago told me about Kandinsky when I told her I saw patterns when I hear sounds. I immediately looked up his work and I could not BELIEVE my eyes, he painted EXACTLY what I saw. I was heavily convinced he saw music the same way I do, this video really drove it home. Thank you.

[@florafurioso9197]

He’s vital to anyone with synesthesia. I can’t really put down laws, but instead let the music do the colors, shapes, textures, etc

[@l.t.renaud5363]

This is the only good video about Kandinsky on the internet. Thoughtful, creative, and without the misinformation that routinely circulates about him. Bravo many times over and many thanks.

[@ListeningIn]

Wow, thank you!

[@owenroche5247]

What’s the misinformation about him?

[@pinkajou656]

@@owenroche5247 yes I’m very curious

[@eksboks148]

@@pinkajou656 yeah

[@rafystf2vids851]

who else is watching this for art class, thought it was gonna be boring and ended up liking

[@camille4917]

Me!!

[@natashajasleen1698]

Im actually watching it for music class

[@roecatgaming]

No

[@gabbehs3417]

lol

[@djtrendsetta5766]

I'm watching it because I'm a lifelong learner. The whole _world_ is my class.

[@finnianmurphy3053]

Barnaby, watching this essay was an emotionally intense experience. I felt my heart racing when you illuminated the chords in the last geometric work. Tasteful pace, riveting content and impressive composition mate.

[@ListeningIn]

Thank you so much Finnian. I'm so glad you enjoyed the video. I actually planned the whole video out knowing I was going to do that illumination towards the end - I'm just glad I was able to do it when I arrived at that point!

[@lionofjudah6753]

Synesthesia is a fascinating phenomenon, and I'm so happy that someone like you has now talked about it! Beautiful work once again.

[@ListeningIn]

You're right - it is incredibly fascinating. Thank you for watching - really glad you enjoyed the video!

[@ikmarchini]

There are also some blind people who can distinguish color from their finertips.

[@timanderson5342]

@@ikmarchini really?

[@petsounds3612]

How amazingly meta to have a video on art in which not only the subject of the video is beautiful, but also the video in and of itself. Like the art of Kandinsky, your videos are creatively inspired, masterfully arranged, and, most importantly, emotionally poignant. Thank you Listening In for your hard work!

[@enidhorowitz5684]

As a musician and budding artist, I found this fascinating. Without having synesthesia, it's hard to understand exactly what Kandinsky experienced. Synesthesia could be considered a seventh or eighth sense, one that not everyone has. Thank you for this video!

[@monicacall7532]

As a professional cellist (mid-blue and madder red) I was totally inspired by this video. I’ve always felt a deep connection to Kandinsky’s work because of the colors and now I know why. It’s speaking the language that I know best. Many many thanks to you for this wonderful and enlightening video!

[@ListeningIn]

Thank you so much for your very kind comment - I'm glad you find it so inspiring. I've loved his paintings for as long as I can remember, and I didn't know about his intimate connection with music until I started doing my research. I was amazed reading his words and how he thought about relationship between colour, form and sound.

[@5DNRG]

I was privileged to experience the crossing of my senses once (for several hours) when I was 16 years old... could hear colors and see sound. 💙🌹🧡🌼💚 forever memorable.

[@asterius4271]

Such a well made video, extremely fascinating. I'm absolutely shocked at the size of your channel. I really hope the hard work pays off for you eventually!

[@ListeningIn]

Thank you! I hope the hard work pays off as well!!

[@georgekirazian5591]

One of the most exciting 10 minutes on KZbin.... And I enjoyed the "Im Abendrot" passage. Thank you.

[@WeltgeistYT]

Beautiful video, loved the sound editing in this one. You also explained Kandinsky in a way that is understandable and relatable to people who might not be well-versed in the aesthetic theories behind it all. Content like this is truly valuable.

[@kujjitafari8509]

I'm so glad I found your work! I'm going through the process of learning music on my own and you have introduced me to some very profound artists and works! 🙏🏽💕

[@_TECHIECHAR]

Bravo! Thank you for posting this. It struck many chords within me, and left me breathless at various points. You've put together an excellent summary that gives me a much broader appreciation of his work.. much more than I ever could have imagined. Loved this one❣

[@notbatman1001]

His synesthesia is an interesting facet of Kandinsky that helps explain his works but each person's color-sounds would be different, and the artist would likely say the same.

[@CrankyRayy]

Subjectivity is what sort of draws the line here. How can we ever figure out the true relationship between sounds and colours if every experience of that relationship is subjectively different?

[@kessagh]

i got literal goosebumps from this! beautiful video, excellently made! 🧡

[@domportera]

this video is a piece of art in itself

[@ListeningIn]

Thank you Dom!

[@_.blue._]

This has been on my recommended for a while and I'm glad I decided to watch. This was created in such an informative and inspired way that I couldn't resist subscribing and watching your other videos! Thank you for such wonderful content, truly made my day better.

[@eileenthomas9983]

I was really touched by listening and watching your video on Kandinsky. It has so enlightened me and for that I am grateful to you. I will look out for more of your videos.🌷

[@ldmun]

You helped me discover a new artist and a new form of viewing and experiencing art, you are clearly the best art KZbinr I've seen and I really love your work.

[@ListeningIn]

Thank you so much Leonardo! I'm so glad you enjoyed the video!

[@pbaban]

Thank you for sharing this wonderful video about the relationship between colors and sounds!

[@22triggy]

Beautifully put together, outstanding, thank you.

[@saimasiddiqui3809]

I have been researching on Kandinsky lately, this video is so helpful to understand such a great artist. Thankyou.

[@nouribrahim4680]

This is one of the most wonderfully made video essays I've ever seen! Outstanding job 👏

[@melanie62954]

As a music and soundtrack lover, I already enjoyed and admired your channel, but now I'm thinking I'll show this video to my Art History class when we talk about Kandinsky in December. I would so appreciate more like this!

[@calglennie]

I loved this. A glimpse into a wonderful synthesis of art and music and their spiritual dimension. Looking forward to watching more on your channel.

[@katherinebeattie2596]

Love this explanation of Kandinsky's art!

[@myfragilelilac]

I have synasthesia. Took me 29 years to realize it was a thing. And yes I am an art student. Coincidence?

[@sanmary027]

That's a Human condition xD it's normal haha

[@aslanyureky]

how does it works? you hear music when you see a color? or vice versa?

[@ClaudioBenassi]

Le seconde grigio nebbia con screziature di rosso. Le quarte blu indaco come il mare.

[@billyb7852]

I taste sounds. I was also pretty old before I realised it wasn’t normal. 🤦🏻‍♂️

[@gregoryalbert379]

I had experienced Synesthesia with Beethoven's music; a plethora of vivid floral ribbons of different colors. Perception is multidimentional including and transcending our senses !

[@kamerongaisi8518]

Beautiful. Just beautiful. Kandinsky is my new favorite artist and your channel is my new favorite as well.

[@ListeningIn]

Thank you so much! I’m very glad you’ve found my channel!

[@007shlomo]

great essay really enjoyed it. love to see more.

[@Artteacher107]

Yesss, thank you, you captured exactly what I try to do in my lesson on color and Kandinsky in a far more succinct and captivating way.

[@stretke]

This video is enthralling. My new favorite channel. Thank you for feeding my brain today.

[@franlily8774]

Wow.. love all the information on colours and sounds.

[@filalalala]

this was amazing thank you for the experience

[@rinadror]

Thanks for the video and explanations about the artist Kandinsky. I really enjoyed it. One of my favorite painters.

[@maerethers2427]

wow! havent used you tube before and wanted to find some art essays on Kandinsky. Thank you for this. i actually have Kandinsky's book, i bought it for some reason, but now am starting to actually understand his art.

[@baileycharlesworth840]

I happen to have synaesthesia and very often assign colours to letters, numbers, days of the week, months of the year, words and especially sounds but I have never seen a colour and heard a particular instrument which is truly fascinating. As a musician and composer, I often feel and see the colours of the music I am creating but never the other way around. I have never seen a painting or colour and instantly been struck by inspiration. When listening to my cello concerto, I see Movement 1 as black, movement 2 as red and movement 3 as blue, which is subject to the key signatures (G, Eb and B - In that order) and the colours of the letters but also the way the music is shaped and how it makes me feel. Truly an extraordinary phenomenon.

[@SKCothrenArt]

Well done! I didn't know what I have is called synesthesia until recently. I just thought it was a special gift (still do). Pretty cool that Kandinsky had it too! Thanks for this informative video.

[@avirtualcanvas7584]

A brilliant and informative video on a lesser known aspect of Kandinsky's art. As someone who also has synesthesia myself,I have laerned to embrace it's effect on my life and on my work as an artist,I don't think of it as a condition,more of another compomant of my creativity,after I had a stroke the effects of it became more pronunced.I love looking at abstract art as I can also haer what I'm looking at and it makes viewing art a really unique experience.Kandinsky's paintings have a realy lyrical quality,a sense of his capuring the sounds of colour as he painted them.

[@TheWonderPieceCollection]

Thank you for this. I look forward to more of your insightful videos!

[@lindsaycole4077]

This sounded and looked wonderful! So, so interesting.

[@janeyr01]

Absolutely amazing, really enjoyed hearing this

[@mauriciovillalba8069]

siempre es bueno tener documentales descriptivos como este de Kandisky , porque descubrimos dentro de la composicion de sus pinturas , puntos interesantes tanto de color como de forma . THANK YOU

[@oaelluin137]

This was beautiful, man. Thanks.

[@ListeningIn]

My pleasure!

[@TolgaHanKayaTR8R]

This is one of my favourite channels ever. Thank you for your work

[@nadiamillones9979]

I don't tend to write comments, but this video definitely deserves one. I clicked on the video being a bit skeptical about abstract art and its meaning, as I've observed abstract pieces before, I tend to associate colours with emotions but I never thought about linking them with music! I learned about art, history, music, composition, and theory in just a 10 minutes video! Your video essays are really amazing!

[@DaWB2379]

Another fantastic essay. Excellent content and the video production is really well-done too. Thanks for posting!

[@dominicoldfield9687]

Arriving lamentably late to this channel. What a find! The quality of the explanation; visually, aurally and contextually is absolutely superb. I will recommend to my composition students!

[@Vanessacisneros100]

Yes, please post more like these. It’s amazing

[@ivonnevaladezbasso1123]

Beautiful. Thank you for making this.

[@caroline5577]

Thank you for this fabulous video on colour & sound a really informative insight into Kandinsky's vision and inspiration

[@honourharry4778]

I really love this video a lot, it succinctly describes Kandinsky's development and allows viewers to hear the music he was trying to describe in his art. I wanted to use this video for my art class so I added captions to it for clearer understanding. Thank you again for this video! I love your passion in your essay.

[@ListeningIn]

Thank you, and also for creating the captions. I've now published them, so they are free to use. I'm really pleased you enjoyed the video!

[@honourharry4778]

@@ListeningIn Thank you! Also, I'm sorry if I mislabeled the other Participants in the Blue Rider's group, I couldn't quite understand what you said there, but I did put the names of real members. Thank you again for this wonderful video!

[@tobeornottobe50]

Bravo! How absolutely fascinating. I just saw a piece on 60 minutes not too long ago featuring Itzhak Pearlman who said he sees colors when he hears music. This soooo helped me understand what the heck he was talking about. Thank you so much!

[@kokolanza7543]

This talk on music in Kandinsky's paintings was quite helpful. Thanks!

[@moreobsidian]

The most beautiful video yet and one of the most beautiful analytical pieces I've seen thus far

[@ListeningIn]

Thank you! I’m really pleased you enjoyed this one.

[@carmenboot7395]

Thank you very much for posting this video. It was just what i was looking for. The effect of music as bron of inspiration to create a work of art. Is undeniable. This is a very well elaborate video. Lots of succes.

[@robertstone1218]

Woww! this is the kind of content I needed. Phenomenal work Mr. Martin

[@ListeningIn]

Thank you so much Robert! It’s my pleasure to send it out into the world!

[@melisoner8981]

This is the first video I've seen of this channel and I have to say, I am so impressed by the content and the quality. I started reading Concerning the Spiritual in Art recently and I was trying to support my understanding of the material on the subject of hearing the colors. Thank you for this.

[@NJ-xi1it]

Excellent review and presentation of Kandinsky’s synesthesic work. Thank you!

[@ListeningIn]

My pleasure! Thank you for watching.

[@sleeperrrrrrrrrrr9615]

Such a GORGEOUS video😭😭😭😭😭😭

[@Sauciflar87]

i'm heading out to Munich in a few minutes and gonna spend some time with Kandinsky's painting! This video is a great way to start understanding his work! Have a nice week end!

[@darjeeling3225]

At first glance, Kandinsky's compositions are just shapes on a canvas, but this is abstract, a representation of Kandinsky's soul. Thank you, your videos teach me a lot.

[@gljamil]

Nice level of reflection, not the immediate conclusions, this is not an art for "immediate" anything. Your speech is completely accessible and leaves us with the intended motivation to think, to evolve and reflect about the possibilities of art. I believe this was the message of Kandinsky and his remarkable works. Many thanks!

[@pianist]

Truly, an amazing video! Thank you for sharing

[@akmalsalikhov3732]

This video is a piece of art itself. Especially your music choise for colors. Keep up the great work. I would love to watch another video with music + color!

[@ListeningIn]

Thank you Akmal! I've got more planned, so look out for them in the future!

[@emrahkutlu880]

this essay just masterpiece.. many many bravo

[@sherrymelane8694]

Brought tears to my eyes and joy to my heart ❤️ Wonderful! Thank you 🙏

[@ListeningIn]

My pleasure!

[@noiamyofatha]

More of this type of content, please. This essay was not only very interesting and enjoyable to watch, it was also quite emotionally touching to me. Thank you

[@ListeningIn]

That's made my day! I'm so glad you enjoyed the video - I will definitely be putting out more like this.

[@redowl1879]

Amazing essay!!! Truly breathtaking!!!!

[@angelacorbenartist75]

Thank you for such an inspiring and thoughtful video.

[@redbougainvilia2544]

Awesome thank you so much for the Crash Course Lesson for Kandinsky and Music.

[@benedictjephcote6815]

It's nice seeing different people's art from those with synaesthesia. It would be great to play a few people the same song and ask them to create what they envisage from their listening, and how their interpretations are similar and different. I have synaesthesia and if I could justify the wasted canvasses, I'd like to paint the movementscapes I see when I listen to different songs.

[@gardikagigih5704]

i really like this channel. so much knowledge and inspiration! thank you so much for creating

[@ulicirebeca4038]

This made me cry, Thank-you!

[@petehealy9819]

Very, very well done. I'd seen Kandinsky works many times, without paying much attention to them. Thanks to Will Gompertz's book ("What Are You Looking At?") on modern art, I was recently awakened to Kandinsky's full power and genius; and, as a music student (long ago) with what I believe is mild synethesia, I am particularly fascinated by that aspect of Kandinsky's creativity and thinking. This video is great, and I'm glad to be a new subscriber to your channel! Thank you!

[@animico]

Beautiful video, thank you very much. I'm a musician and always thought each note had a color.. seing this makes all sense.

[@ListeningIn]

Thank you!

[@susanfield2444]

Wonderful video. Facinating. Thank you.

[@huguettelacroixgauthier6929]

I sure do listen to my art a lot differently after watching this, great little video!

[@lynseyhackett1635]

Really enjoyed this video and learned a lot. Thank you

[@dianamariaa]

Bravo!!! Superbly done and greatly informative!

[@simonpyogi]

Excellent video. More please!

[@louiseferrebee2498]

Amazing video. I don’t know how I found this channel but I’m sure glad I did!

[@QMU-nj9nx]

thanks for this magnificent work you’ve done

[@ListeningIn]

Glad you enjoy it!

[@atomoyoga]

You've made me cry man! Bravo 👏👏👏

[@hatprojects8769]

excellent introduction on many levels. thanks

[@Catinca.c]

This type of knowledge makes my soul cry of joy.

[@anverhulst1846]

super interesting, so beautifully done

[@catherineparr8167]

Thank you for presenting ideas that children learned in the 1950's schools that included learning fine art.

[@lizetd59]

Absolutely loved it!

[@MsMrOlsen]

awesome!! thank you for the good work!

[@keepperspective]

That was powerful and perfectly synesthetically illustrated!

[@toys4kids686]

Thank you...loved the video...

[@cosmiccomedy7394]

That was excellent, thank you.

[@carlosguillermorh]

Thanks for such a great video!

[@ListeningIn]

Glad you liked it!

[@MBr___]

Extremely well done, thank you for your amazing content (not only in this video but in general)! Wanted to buy the book you quoted for a few weeks now and now I really have to ;)

[@ListeningIn]

Thank you so much! I'm glad you're going to get the book - it's definitely worth reading.

[@ejt321]

Great video about the genius of Kandinsky.

[@TheUlumpa]

Amazing stuff dude ❤