The Thrill of Performances
As audiences members we long to hear exceptional performances. I write for classically trained musicians, and my scores are conceived as performance vehicles. I notate the rhythms, pitches, and timbres that I hear in my head in considerable detail, although no score could ever hope to detail all the interpretive nuances that a fine performer can add to a performance.
Exceptional performances require exceptional performers, and the artistic nuances added by eloquent singers, instrumentalists, and conductors often astonish me in their effectiveness. In the case of operas, interpretation also depends on the skills of directors and designers. I find all of this enormously exciting, and I have had some wonderful, thrilling experiences hearing and seeing what I have written interpreted by different performers.
I find searching for eloquent combinations of sounds and textures that seem to make emotions incarnate an utterly fascinating challenge. Like hearing changes in an actor’s voice, when the very sound of the music seems to embody the desired emotional qualities, these qualities are immediately conveyed to the audience. And this is an important aspect of creating an emotionally moving experience.
For my part I do everything I can to notate my artistic intent with precision and particularity. Performers deserve scores worthy of their time, effort, and talent—just as audiences deserve performance experiences that are entertaining, moving, and rewarding.