On Composing

These thoughts came to me while working on a new set of Greek Dances for solo guitar.

Composing often begins as a question I pose to myself. A spark appears—sudden and instinctive—and I follow it. The first ideas arrive quickly, but then comes the real work: I sit with them, listen, and try to understand what the notes want—where they long to move.

When I get stuck—and it happens often—taking a break is essential. I’ll go for a walk, cook, or sit on the balcony. Something quiet, something unrelated. These pauses allow the music to continue forming beneath the surface. When I return, I usually find that the problem has softened—or even solved itself.

As the work nears completion, the distance I take becomes longer. Sometimes days, even weeks. This helps me step back and see the whole. To stop obsessing over details and ask: does it dance, does it breathe, does it speak?

To some, this way of working might seem slow or indulgent. But I’ve learned that we often need to work easier, not harder. (S)pace is vital. The right balance cannot be rushed.
And when the work is ready—you will know it.

June 2025