What do you look for from new composer?

[mek42]

What do you have in mind when deciding whether to purchase sheet music by a new, modern composer?

[ahinton]

What do you have in mind when deciding whether to purchase sheet music by a new, modern composer?

As a composer myself I will refrain from answering that, but don't worry; Thal will almost certainly be along soon, almost certainly to persuade you to have nothing and mind and not to purchase any such music as it's almost all - er - "horseshit" (to use his own word). However, be no discouraged by this and do consider any other answers that might be forthcoming!

Best,

Alistair

[gep]

What do you have in mind when deciding whether to purchase sheet music by a new, modern composer?

Please define what you mean with 'modern'? As in 'does something original' or merely 'is alive today'? Einaudi is alive, but Guillaume de Machaut is more modern in the former sense despite being dead for over 600 years.

All best,
gep

[ahinton]

Please define what you mean with 'modern'? As in 'does something original' or merely 'is alive today'? Einaudi is alive, but Guillaume de Machaut is more modern in the former sense despite being dead for over 600 years.

All best,
gep

!!!

You put forward what I felt it incumbent upon me to be silent about, given my own rôle! Many thanks!

Best,

Alistair

[mek42]

By modern, I mean the composer is alive today.  One of the things I hope to learn in this thread is whether pianists are interested more in musically modern works or pieces written in a style similar to earlier periods (and which periods, if so).

Are there underwritten niches that pianists wish there was more repertoire for?  For example, I recently attended a talk by Leon Fleischer, and he commented that, while there was plenty of right handed repertoire available, there was little for the left hand.

[ahinton]

By modern, I mean the composer is alive today.  One of the things I hope to learn in this thread is whether pianists are interested more in musically modern works or pieces written in a style similar to earlier periods (and which periods, if so).

But your second sentence here appears to contradict your first! You begin by defining a "new" composer as a living one, yet you continue by writing about "musically modern works" and references to styles and periods of writing, regardless of the vast diversity of piano music being written by living composers.

I recently attended a talk by Leon Fleischer, and he commented that, while there was plenty of right handed repertoire available, there was little for the left hand.

This surprises me, especially coming from Mr Fleisher of all people - so much so that I might almost wonder if you heard this wrong or misremembered it - because I would have assumed the very opposite to be the case. Famous left hand pieces include the concertos of Schmidt, Ravel and Prokofiev, an early Scriabin work, one of Alkan's Op. 76 études and a raft of Chopin/Godowsky studies and this is a mere selection of notable examples from a vast and rich treasure trove of southpaw writing; where, by comparison, are the renowned right hand pieces?

Best,

Alistair

[thalbergmad]

Methinks he has it the wrong way around.

Thal

[mek42]

But your second sentence here appears to contradict your first! You begin by defining a "new" composer as a living one, yet you continue by writing about "musically modern works" and references to styles and periods of writing, regardless of the vast diversity of piano music being written by living composers.
This surprises me, especially coming from Mr Fleisher of all people - so much so that I might almost wonder if you heard this wrong or misremembered it - because I would have assumed the very opposite to be the case. Famous left hand pieces include the concertos of Schmidt, Ravel and Prokofiev, an early Scriabin work, one of Alkan's Op. 76 études and a raft of Chopin/Godowsky studies and this is a mere selection of notable examples from a vast and rich treasure trove of southpaw writing; where, by comparison, are the renowned right hand pieces?

Best,

Alistair

Thank you for correcting me about right handed works having the shortage.  Now that my memory is sparked, I think Mr. Fleischer did mention this in context of being lucky his left hand still worked well.  Please forgive my poor memory.

I am interested in learning what people look for in repertoire written by living composers.  However, a composer alive today can still write using older styles.  I must have used poor language earlier - from the vast diversity of piano music being written today, are there any particular areas within this diversity that pianists get especially excited about?