The muse that sings

by Ann McCutchan

"The Muse That Sings is a behind-the-scenes look at both twentieth-century music and the nuts and bolts of creative work. Here, twenty-five of America's leading composers - from Adams to Zorn, from Bolcom to Vierk - talk candidly about their craft, their motivations, their difficulties, and how they proceed from musical idea to finished composition." "While focusing on the process and the stories behind specific works, the composers also touch on topics that will interest anyone involved in creative work. They discuss teachers and mentors, the task of revision, relationships with performers, and the ongoing struggle for a balance between freedom and discipline." "Each interview has been edited to stand alone as a concise meditation on muse and technique, and the book includes selected discographies as well as brief biographical sketches." "Anyone with an interest in twentieth-century music or in the creative process will find this lively collection a valuable source of inspiration and