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Composers Forum |
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Question #8 - How does the process of writing music change from piece to piece? MSB - M. Susan Brown; SH - Steve Hahn; TK - Tim Krueger; TS - Terry Schlenker |
| MSB - Each bit I put on the paper changes and confines a composition as I go. Each work is intrinsic in itself. A small change can make a huge difference and can be a very big risk. A composer must create the landscape or the stage upon which his/her actors play. Many writers talk about their characters taking on a life of their own. I find this true of music in a given work TK - My process depends on whether I am working with a pre-existing melody or creating everything from scratch. For example, my descants have to fit with an existing melody and harmonies. I have to plan so the women’s voices can be heard at the climactic points in the hymn. For me, the challenge in writing descants is to create satisfactory alternative melodies. TS - The process tends to be fairly consistent from piece to piece. |