St. Martin's Chamber Choir

Composers Forum

Question #13 - What emotions do you feel as you compose a piece of music?

MSB - M. Susan Brown;   SH - Steve Hahn;   TK - Tim Krueger;   TS - Terry Schlenker

 
MSB - Anger, love, fear, boredom, chill, camaraderie, warmth, isolation, compassion, awe.

SH - It varies depending on what I’m thinking about as I’m composing, which in turn influences the composition that results. Sometimes it’s sadness, as in a tribute piece to a favorite musician who has died (such as my tribute to Miles Davis on my CD sh). Sometimes its elation, as when an idea is fresh and spontaneous and I like the way it’s developing Reactions to my compositions reflect emotional responses on the part of the listener, which makes me wonder how much my mood at the time I wrote a particular piece influenced the composition. Perhaps that’s inevitable?

TK - . My emotions are derived from the intellectual satisfaction of having done something worthwhile.

TS - It is not the music that results in the emotions but the emotions that result in the music.

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