Samuel Beckett’s Music Criticism “My musical susceptibility seems all concentrated in my arse”

Two stylistic themes appear in Beckett’s style of writing about music in his correspondence: invective and embodiment. Beckett exhibits vicious criticism of composers, music, and conductors he dislikes, thus providing insights into his broader aesthetic concerns. Beckett also frequently references the physicality of the body when evaluating compositions and performances, suggesting a deep preoccupation with the embodied component which is essential when it comes to the music-making process.