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Series:   Elements in Creativity and Imagination

Visions and Decisions

Imagination and Technique in Music Composition

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  26 January 2023

Bruce Adolphe

Summary

This Element investigates the balance and interaction of imagination (visions) and technique (decisions) in the composition of music and includes current scientific research on dreams, the hypnagogic state, emotions, and feelings. It also includes thoughts of composers past and present, and examines how works start from visions in a range of music, comparing musical ideas and techniques to models in other creative disciplines. The Element elucidates aspects of musical discourse by imagining how Haydn, Mozart, and other composers would order falafel for takeout. This unorthodox approach emphasizes parallels between music and theater that are central to this Element.
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Keywords

composingimaginationimprovisationhypnagogiccreativity
Type
Element
Information
Series: Elements in Creativity and Imagination
Online ISBN: 9781009350518
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication: 23 February 2023

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