Friday, May 18, 2007

In The Name of Inspiration

It is in the name of inspiration, that I write music. Although I promote it and although I distribute it, it is ultimately, in the name of the source of that music, that I write anything at all. The word inspiration comes from the old Latin "I Spiritu", which means, as far as I know, "the breath of God" and so it is in breathing in this "breath of God" that the Muse visits, bestows, and leaves us with a little taste of something of the universe. This small taste of what the universe really is, distills into poetry, music, art, scientific endeavor, and religious conviction, and so on. Those of us who understand this, merely wait for it. There may be months, even years between works, and this time is spent (usually), in perusing past works, listening to other artists, etc; with overall time spent in waiting, waiting, waiting, for the next delivery of words, melody, vision, understanding, and insight. Until then, I spend my time doing this; waiting on the universe. You can go to my website at http:annuitmusic.com (the link is below) and listen to some of that music.

Tuesday, May 15, 2007

Electronic Music

I just read the article in the New York Times by Clive Thompson and I am wondering if this type of distribution and marketing works for classical and new age music. First of all, I don't tour. It's not that I don't want to. It's just that I don't see the point. Its not like I am going to be singing songs or anything like that. Most of the music I write is for solitary listening. I can't even imagine a group of people listening to it all at one time.

But it's an interesting dilemma, you know; this idea of marketing music for the consumption of the anonymous listener, if that is indeed, what I am writing for. It turns out though, that it is not what I am writing for. I write for the privilege of being inspired. I write for no other reason. I often do not even have an audience in mind at the time the composition is being formed.

So will I make money at this? Probably not. Will I become famous? Again, no I do not think so. I will, however, have the satisfaction of adding to the body of academic and, to some extent, popular music. It has to be enough.

Friday, May 11, 2007

The Use of Synthetic Orchestras

I have decided in my career as a composer, to dispense with the egos of musicians, the arrogance of conductors and critics, and simply write and publish my music via CD Baby. I am completely bypassing the usual route to fame as I believe it is unnecessary. Economically, and focusing on efficiency, this is the only route for me. I do not have time for people and their egos telling me this, or making me jump through that. I have decided that my music is my music and
no one else's to fool with.

So I have embarked on a software purchasing program of only the best synthetic orchestras, and using them to populate my symphonic creations. This enables me to write music in my own way and in my own time. I can go back later and produce scored copies for copywriting and archiving as my own creations. I do not have to compel myself to bend to the will of others who only see a publishing process and not the composition process.

Long live the Independent Artist