Ladies First Interview-Gloria Coates.mov

Summary

In this insightful discussion, the composer reflects on their unique approach to music, blending architectural concepts with sound to create innovative compositions. They emphasize the importance of simplicity in musical ideas, contrasting it with the complexity often introduced by technology. The composer also shares a deep connection to Emily Dickinson's poetry, which has inspired a collection of songs over three decades. Additionally, they explore the role of overtones in music, suggesting that musicians perceive sound differently, paving the way for future studies in auditory perception. This interplay of art and emotion showcases the evolving landscape of contemporary music.

Takeaways

• 🎶 The speaker's music composition process is informed by physical and architectural structures rather than traditional musical scales.
• 🔺 They often use geometric shapes like triangles and pyramids to develop their musical ideas in a microtonal context.
• 🖼️ As a visual artist, the speaker finds it natural to integrate visual concepts into their music composition.
• 📜 Their musical notation is conventional but complex, revealing deeper structures that listeners may not initially recognize.
• 🔍 The speaker believes that impactful music often stems from simple ideas, contrasting this with the complexities found in plagiarized works.
• 🌌 They highlight a connection between their work and the evolution of music in the 21st century, suggesting a future where new musical ideas will have defined names.
• ✍️ The speaker has a strong connection to Emily Dickinson's poetry, having created around 20 songs inspired by her work over 30 years.
• 🔊 They discuss the relevance of overtones in their music, emphasizing that some musicians naturally perceive these sounds without electronic aids.
• 👂 The speaker reflects on the idea that musicians may hear music differently, leading to unique interpretations and expressions in their work.
• 🧬 They suggest the possibility of future research into how individual perceptions of sound and color might vary among artists, revealing deeper insights into artistic sensitivity.

Q & A

What is the primary focus of the speaker's music composition process?

The speaker emphasizes the development of physical and architectural structures as a basis for their music composition, moving beyond traditional musical scales.

How does the speaker relate their artistic background to their musical approach?

The speaker, being a visual artist, finds it natural to incorporate visual and architectural elements into their music, creating a unique compositional style.

What critique does the speaker offer regarding the complexity of modern music?

The speaker critiques that technology can make simple musical ideas overly complex, arguing that true strength in music often comes from simplicity, as seen in the works of classical composers.

What connection does the speaker have with Emily Dickinson's poetry?

The speaker has a deep emotional connection with Dickinson's poetry, which has influenced their music over approximately 30 years, resulting in a series of songs inspired by her work.

How does the speaker view the future of their musical ideas?

The speaker believes that their ideas may evolve over time, potentially gaining recognition and a name in future generations, as indicated by a recent publication praising their influence on 21st-century music.

What role do overtones play in the speaker's music?

Overtones are integral to the speaker's musical perception, allowing them to hear and incorporate subtle pitch variations, which they feel enhances their compositions.

What does the speaker suggest about individual perception of music?

The speaker posits that musicians may perceive sound differently from non-musicians, leading to unique interpretations and experiences of music.

What historical perspective does the speaker provide regarding music composition?

The speaker references a musicologist who noted that historically, original pieces of music are often simple, whereas plagiarized or copied works tend to be more complex.

How has the speaker's understanding of music evolved over the years?

The speaker's understanding has evolved from initially focusing on overtones to incorporating complex physical structures in their compositions, reflecting a deepening engagement with musical ideas.

What is the significance of the structures mentioned by the speaker?

The structures serve as a foundational element for the speaker's compositions, influencing how music can be notated and experienced, even as they acknowledge that some concepts may be difficult to notate musically.