When I wrote Viejos Tiempos, I used Sibelius software to systematize my ideas. I ended up with a nice looking score and beautiful formatted parts. But the final result had nothing to do with the software or the compositional process.
My intention with Viejos Tiempos was to send a message through my favorite medium—the string orchestra.
It’s not the score, the composer, the pencil or paper or monitor or midi keyboard—is the performer and her performance.
A composer’s talent would be insignificant without musicians to interpret it. Fifty Shades of Grey would mean nothing without my mother’s interpretation. Books and compositions are works of art only when someone reads it, otherwise it’s just organized paper in a bookshelf.
Auditions, strings, reeds, conductors, sheet music, metronomes, composers, Musical America, Tips for Classical Musicians(subscribe here), scores, tuxedos, Sibelius software, Henle, manuscripts, letters, editions, etudes, concertos, the Savvy Musician, A Survival Guide, music festivals, lessons, master classes, Naxos, dynamics, ASCAP, halls and scales.
They all contribute to the magical performance you had last weekend. The preparation to kick some ass requires tools and gear and today we have most of it free on the ‘net. Your knowledge in music history is reflected in your performance, so is that mandatory piano course for non-majors. Know this and give it a good open shot, it will make your life easier, happier and smarter. It all comes down to music performance.