Composition Matters
When I think about the disconnect between the orchestra, audiences and composers, I believe that the answer is that while a new work has to basically reflect the artistic power and integrity of its creator, at the same time it has to be interesting and rewarding for the performers and also engage the audience at a basic emotional level. If the connections at any of these levels are missing, then the work is not likely to succeed. This is actually true not only for new works, but for music of all eras. The first, and in many ways the most important step is the connection between the composer and the performer, which in fact is the first “audience” for a new work. I firmly believe that composers need to win the trust of the performers through their work, and at the same time performers need to approach new works with an open mind.
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