[Labyrinthos]

Nothing about these paintings makes me feel good (or perhaps I should say "feel appreciative"). The sensory overload is too much for my tastes. I understand Piccaso and Cubism a little better, thanks to your lesson, but I don't like the style today any more than I did yesterday.

[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