Konrad and Alexandra (pdf) - Rolf Gross

a more fundamental, philosophical nature. Mrs. Dadiani-Rost suggested that we needed to
reestablish the balance between the Apollinische and the Dionysische to recover das Geistige
in der Kunst. I for my part have resolved to finally read Nietzsche’s Geburt der Tragödie. I feel
that Mrs. Dadiani-Rost’s comments are eminently applicable to tonight’s theme. Finally, may I
thank Mrs. Dahl for having made this exceptionally interesting evening possible."
His remarks were unanimously applauded. Small groups formed in which Webern’s
music was heatedly discussed.
Kandinsky asked to be allowed to join the circle around the Dahl siblings and Konrad
and Alexandra. He wanted to know if Alexandra had seen colors in the music. Noticing
Alexandra’s pensive look, he apologized for such a personal question. Was he allowed to invite
her and her husband for another evening to discuss this matter? It was of great importance to
him.
Alexandra pulled herself from her pensive silence. "I am a complete novice to Western
music, there is so much I do not understand, but I did see colors of a purity and intensity that I
have not seen before. Were anyone to try to paint what I saw in this music, he could fill a large
canvas with colorful shapes and designs. However, they were completely abstract, they had no
resemblance to real objects."
Kandinsky, very excitedly asked whether she would dare to paint such a picture.
Alexandra bit her lip. She thought that she might be able to do that. "But such a picture
would be entirely personal and uninteresting to anybody besides myself. One would have to
work on such a canvas for a long time to make it understandable to other people. I don’t have
the painterly skills for such a task. However, may I ask a question, has anybody besides myself
seen colors like that?"
To her utter surprise nobody had.
With a laugh Kandinsky exclaimed. "Dear Princess Dadiani, the Mingrelians are well
known to practice witchcraft. So as not to be suspected of that, will you explain to us how you
succeeded in converting music into abstract images, a trick I would very much like to learn
from you!"
Claudia, anger in her dark eyes, was watching her friend with increasing alarm, ready to
come to her rescue. Konrad raised his eyebrows.
Alexandra waved her hand in apology. "I am afraid I can tell you only little about this
phenomenon. I have seen colors to music since childhood, but never anything like tonight.
Several years ago I saw very intense colors in a situation between life and death. Tonight was
the first time that I saw colors of comparable intensity to music…maybe because Herr
Webern’s music created another extraordinary emotional state in me. I cannot explain my own
visions, much less tell you how to see colors in music."
Friedrich inquired whether he could ask the two composers and his father to join in this
discussion.
"Friedrich!" objected Claudia. "I don’t want Alexandra to become another psychological
case study. Please leave her alone!"
But Alexandra saw a chance to learn something about the unresolved phenomenon of
her seeing colors under certain circumstances and encouraged Friedrich.
Later, after most guests had left, they formed a larger circle with the Dahls, Katharina,
and the two composers to discuss, as Kandinsky put it, the question of how to see music in
colors.
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