There are two types of musicality- natural and composed. "Whitman," in his alleged journal, responds to them both, the first, merely a praise of orchestration and composition, the second, a poetic response to nature. This musical performance, allegedly performed and composed by "Beethoven," evokes much less of a response, from "Whitman-" supporting the premise that the art of hearing a musical performance takes energy from an artist, whereas the musical gifts from natue provides them with energy.
In relation to Whitman's "Song of Myself," a text which celebrates where nature and Self collide, both the poem and "journal" entry evoke the musicality of nature. Interestingly, when comparing the two "entries," nature brinsg more poetic loftyness than a performance from one of the most celebrated composers. "Song of Myself," where the author celebrates "loafing" in nature, inviting the reader to loafe with him, quickly causes the reader to realize natural loafing, even through its loafyness, still evokes art. Thus, which is more loafing? Laying upon the grass and listening to nature compose a symphony, or attending a performance by Beethoveen?
Link: http://etext.virginia.edu/etcbin/toccer-new2?id=WhiPro1.sgm&images=images/modeng&data=/texts/english/modeng/parsed&tag=public&part=206&division=div2
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