Alan Belkin, composer
Composition: some personal thoughts
Since I was a child I
have been enchanted by the idea of writing symphonies, concerti, and quartets,
like those of the masters whose music I most love. This goal has not
changed to this day. It remains my standard of accomplishment as a composer.
In my music I aim to combine refinement and intensity, craftsmanship and
imagination. Built around the long lines characteristic of works in the great
European tradition, I try in my compositions to carry the listener along
fascinating paths, with intriguing surprises, but always with a clear sense of
direction and overall proportion.
Harmony is a very important expressive dimension for me; I try to make mine
as strongly personal as possible. I dislike both the oppressive extreme
chromaticism of the previous generation and the naive simplicity of the
minimalist school; usually I like to hover between the diatonic and the
chromatic worlds, drawing on traditional resources without limiting myself to
them.
In orchestration, my preference runs to rich but transparent textures. I
think it is especially important that an orchestral score be animated. Fragments
of counterpoint creating frequent instrumental movement are essential to good
orchestration, in my opinion
In aiming at emotional depth and variety, and the finest crafstmanship
possible, I place myself in the historical line of the great European
symphonists; In fact, I have written seven works in the genre to date. However
the intimacy of chamber music is also very appealing to me, and I have also
written works for solo voice, guitar, piano, and organ.
Here is a list of my works .
Some of my favorite composers are:
- Bach - especially the vocal and organ works: such incredible
variety of forms, and the most profound thematic ideas.
- Chopin - for the wonderful fantasy of his piano figuration, and
forms that sound almost improvised (but inevitably work perfectly).
- Brahms - richness of form and sheer beauty of counterpoint.
- Wagner - the richest orchestral polyphony, and harmony
that maintains great intensity.
- Mahler - sophistication in the treatment of large forms, and
sheer emotional force. Fantastic contrapuntal combinations of themes in
different characters. Irony, managing to bring into synthesis what seems
impossible.
- Nielsen and Sibelius - both idiosyncratic and personal
symphonists -- which is what I am, too!
- Schreker - Schreker's fate as a
Jewish composer at the hands of the Nazis was very sad, and they buried his
reputation almost completely up till quite recently, but he's finally
becoming recognized. His music is beautiful. Try listening to his operas,
especially Der ferne Klang , or Die Gezeichneten . For some
reason, my harmonic style has always had a certain similarity to Schreker's,
which is surprising, since this was true long before I heard or saw a note
of his music.
- Bartok and Dutilleux - two "originals" who don't really belong to
any school. The "night music" aspect in their work appeals to me.
website © Alan Belkin, 2008
email: belkina_at_yahoo.com (replace _at_
with @).
I am always glad to hear comments or suggestions concerning the content here. I do get a great deal of email from this website, so I may not reply to you immediately. Since so many have asked, I do offer private lessons, either in person or via the Internet; please inquire for my rates. Please do not send me your music without an invitation; I unfortunately do not have time to respond to everyone who just wants my opinion of their score.