to express a novel with a single gesture

anton webern - the complete string trios and quartets - auvidis montaigne - 1994
(arditti string quartet)

one may consider the restraint required to express oneself so concisely. into each glance is compressed a whole poem; into each sigh, an entire novel. but; to express a novel with a single gesture, to express utter joy with a single breath; the presence of such concentration can only be found where there is a corresponding absence of indulgent self-pity.
arnold schoenberg - from his introduction to webern's bagatelle published in 1924