Final answer:
The idea that imperfections in classical music are not emotionally satisfying is false. Romantic and modern composers used deviations from traditional music structures to evoke deeper emotional responses, enhancing the musical experience for the listener. Timbre and other subjective qualities of sound also contribute to the emotional impact of music.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that the introduction of slight "imperfections" in classical music is NOT something we find emotionally satisfying is false. In the context of classical music, particularly during the Romantic period, composers sought to express the full range of human emotions through their music. This included the use of both rigorous structure as well as elements that might be considered imperfections, such as discordant notes or unusual harmonies, to elicit emotional responses from the audience. Romantic music was characterized by the powerful drama of human emotion, which included not just anger and passion, but also subtler expressions of pleasure and joy. Such emotional expressions often required bending or breaking the "rules" established in earlier classical music traditions to convey the complexity of human feelings.
For example, composers like Beethoven introduced innovative structures and harmonic progressions in their compositions, such as in Beethoven's Ninth Symphony, which pushed the boundaries of what was considered musically acceptable at the time. Rather than detracting from the listening experience, these elements can significantly enhance the emotional impact of the music, making it more expressive and satisfying for the listener. The use of dissonance, unexpected tempo changes, and alterations to traditional scales during the Modernist movement carried this idea further, leading to compositions that challenged listeners' expectations and enriched the repertoire of Western music.
In addition to these historical and aesthetic perspectives, timbre, or the tonal quality of an instrument, also plays a role in how we perceive music. Different instruments produce distinctive combinations of frequencies and intensities that contribute to the overall emotional effect of a musical piece. Terms such as warm, cold, brilliant, and rich are used to describe these qualities, further illustrating the subjective nature of musical enjoyment and the varied emotional responses music can elicit.