Welcome Mark Vigil online!
Why "Contemporary Classical Composer"?
I like to create heartfelt contemporary classical art music or concert music. The creative diversity here has always been of great interest to me. From contemporary classical art music I gain a freedom after all its rigors of discipline. This little bit of understanding can therefor make my compositions more proficient. My appreciation for contemporary classical art music and my eagerness to always improve my understanding of it is an integral part of my music making process.
I am not entirely adverse to writing adventurous music even avant garde so long as the message conveyed is kind. I must admit that I am prone to a lyrical and a more readily understandable music aesthetic. With that said, it may be noteworthy (pun intended) that I mention my early exposure to American Gamelan music.(both Javanese and Balinese) This "new music" genre was instrumental (pun intended) in shaping my less than traditional aesthetic and served as a corollary to my varied stylistic approach to composition.
I would never consider my music as being conservative OR representing the "cutting edge" of modern contemporary art music. If anything, the forms of my compositions are transparent and simple, the phrases asymmetric and for the most part, the incorporation of dissonance is oftentimes mild. Ideally, my music is intended to please the listener's ear not upset it. I know life to be a wonderful thing and very beautiful. I have no complaints. So then, why should the character of my music (which is a direct reflection of me) be any different.
I prefer my compositions to reflect my love and respect for life itself, for nature and to some extent, tradition and the ideal of good craftsmanship which is ever-present in the history of Western art music. And though I admire the historical perspective and I respect the brilliant advancements made by progressive and innovative thinkers, I must comply first with my own feelings about the creation of new music and the posterity of the "Here and the Now." By this I mean that the present or today is very relevant to me. The present or today is my real home. It is where I actually live my life. So, with regards to music, I cannot let myself be rooted in the past or contemplative about the future. Life, existence, my well of inspiration is only a reality for me in this wonderful place and time called today.
As I previously alluded to, I strive to make each composition of mine creatively independent. Stylistically I prefer each piece of mine to be unlike any of its predecessors. For example, I have always in earnest admired this creative aspect of the music of the Beatles. I know that if I were to tout a stylistic singularity to the public as well as myself it would make my life as a composer much easier. But, I can't seem to do that.
I choose to explore the possibilities of new music rather than new sound.
I feel much more "at ease" when I am writing music per se, as opposed to when I have to create some sort of new sound. I'm not implying that a musical work of art employing its own set of rules cannot come from compositions that incorporate a predominance of extended techniques. Nor am I implying that compositions emphasizing extended techniques are lacking in any special interest, to me. I'm simply stating that personally I feel much more challenged and inspired by the prospects of creating new music than by the prospects of creating new sound.
I hope that I am not giving a distinct impression that I advocate any kind of conservatism whatsoever; I respectively do not advocate conservative music. On the other hand, I do not advocate or feel attracted to the extremist avant grade either.
I am more interested and I care more about expressing solely the reality of my heart now, today, than expressing what may or may not be in vogue tomorrow in Western art music. I do not want to be a composer that lives in the past or the future. I prefer to compose my music in and for the present.
I do not feel comfortable in the pressure cooker of this ambition for innovation. Innovation is a healthy thing, I agree. However extreme innovation in my opinion, can distort a sincere expression or feeling, a beautiful voice and make one forget one's own likes and dislikes. I feel that the composers first duty is to express one's own self one's own likes and dislikes, one's own personality, always. New music new art comes from the gifts, the personality of the individual living composer.
If someone were to ask me "Why exactly do you write music and what exactly are you trying to accomplish?" My reply would have to be that I write music because I love to, and the only thing I am trying to accomplish is not to waste or squander this time this opportunity I have been given to create new contemporary classical art music inspired by my own heart in this place called today.
I am a member of NACUSA (National Association of Composers USA)
website: www.music-usa.org/nacusa
I am also a member of NACUSA Cascadia Chapter (Pacific Northwest USA) website: www.cascadiacomposers.org
I am also a member of the American Music Center in New York City website: www.amc.net
Latest news
VIDEO 1 "And Yet There Could Be Love"VIDEO 2 "Trio For Violin Bb Clarinet & Piano"- excerpt 1st mvt.
To view the above videos of these recent performances just click on the links.
Recently I signed a contract with Parma Records to have a retrospective CD of my music produced and distributed worldwide through their company. Parma records is distributed through Naxos. The CD will be new and consist of a line-up of tracks taken from all three of my CDs. I hope for its release within a year. Maybe sooner.
*Note*
All my cds and their individual tracks are available through both itunes and cdBaby. ITUNES: www.apple.com/itunes CDBABY site: www.cdbaby.com Most of my printed scores are available only through my web site.
"The Prem Rawat Foundation" visit the TPRF website and peruse his initiatives for humanitarian aid. Dignity-Peace-Prosperity
