Aesthetic Identity
Aesthetic identity—I like that. I’m like that. ...Aesthetic meanings go beyond social signals to personal affirmations of our sense of self.—Virginia Postrel, The Substance of Style
When I started composing I experimented with various stylistic possibilities. Over time I gravitated away from some options, and toward others. Some stylistic traits felt like me; others didn’t. Most of my writings on this site are about things I’ve discovered I like.
As a listener, hearing music that captivates me deeply—sensually and mentally—remains a rare experience. Those pieces which do capture and hold my attention generally share similar stylistic traits. Some of the traits I find stimulating are relatively easy to define (such as a sense of dance-like motion). Other traits resist simple definitions. Two examples are atmosphere and glamour (incorporating its older meaning of magic spells). Though elusive to define, they are useful qualities, especially in opera and ballet.
Focusing on the aesthetic traits that I respond to most strongly has been crucial to my daily work. When I am composing (or writing), I like becoming so deeply involved with the materials that I no longer feel separate from the flow of work.