Composing as an Act of Community and Sincerity with Iván Enrique Rodríguez

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Composing as an Act of Community and Sincerity with Iván Enrique Rodríguez

I believe we can all agree that we have felt something while listening to music. Thus, being able to write something down that could potentially make someone feel something; it is beyond fascinating. It is a blessing! It is, at least for me, one of the things I treasure the most in my life! It is awfully lonely to sit down and spend long hours writing music, but it is so incredibly magical and humbling to be able to share it with colleagues and audiences. To be able to say “I would love to share and give to you a little piece of my heart and soul.”

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“Music was a passionate thing. Why should we soften the edges now?”

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“Music was a passionate thing. Why should we soften the edges now?”

I might be getting away from the central topic of the original article but that quote made me think about some things in our musical actuality. The way we listen music, what the academy teach us about music, what we expect of music and new music and most importantly what music means to us.

As Maestro Egarr clearly stated, one only need to read and do some simple research to know that music meant serious emotional stuff to people in the 17th century, and I would dare to say earlier and later in history too. But today… how do we listen today?

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Éxodo II (Exodus II)

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Éxodo II (Exodus II)

There is no bigger excitement for a composer than to receive a commission. Some would say than is better to get a premiere or a piece performed many times but, in my case, I love to compose so getting the opportunity to write new music its always a delight. I prefer this because it involves a process I strongly respect. When a composer receives a commission its because a musician(s) or ensemble have esteem and trust in the composer’s artistic craftsmanship. For this reason, I find great joy and enthusiasm when I receive such opportunity.

            In this particular case, Puerto Rico’s most talented and respected harpist, Elisa Torres, entrusted me to create a piece of music for Guitar, Cello and Harp. The cello and harp combination is rather common and their tone colors combine in a cohesive and balancing manner. Now, adding the guitar, that’s a whole different story…

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