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Debussy described music as 'the imaginary country; that is to say, the one that can't be found on the map'. This comes close to the reason why I feel the need to write; namely to create something that is an object of fantasy, some kind of landscape that does not really exist in a tactile, material form. I believe that music should not ignore the real world, indeed it is sometimes the strongest way of addressing it, but it justifies its existance by being a means of accessing 'another place' which is otherwise hidden, and so to compose is to give others some experience of one's imagined world. There is an element of fantasy in most music, and this seems to be particularly prominant in many of my works along with a need for drama. I have to have the stimulation of some unpredictability, and so this is something I try to put into my music. Nearly as strong is the desire to leave an impression on others and for my listeners to be stimulated and transported by the music (also something I try to achieve in performance). I also believe that creative, useless acts are what makes us special. I suppose I could, more bluntly, say it's because I have an opinion of what music should sound like, and feel the need to express this in some recognisible form (which probably explains why I am drawn to arranging almost as much: I feel I can almost always 'improve' something existing). And I can't imagine not trying to write notes on the page.

Because not composing is too mainstream.

Tokkemon hit it one the head. You have to know history. Classical-period didn't use because the brass outside of trombone couldn't do it. For whatever reason, they just never explored it's capabilities. Valves weren't around until 1826 (and we can thank Berlioz for using them in the orchestra first!) Yes, brass parts in Bach, Mozart, and Beethoven may seem boring; however, we must respect history and understand what was going on during each composition presented.

Where is this reluctance you speak of? Come on, know a bit of history before asking a silly question. Just a short list of pieces that use the brass a heck of a lot and/or they are crucial to the effect. Mahler 1, Mov. 4 Mahler 2, Mov. 5 (and 1 somewhat) Mahler 3, Mov. 1 Mahler 5, Mov. 1, 2, 3, 5 Mahler 6, Mov. 1, 4 Mahler 7 (meh) Mahler 8 Mahler 9, Mov. 3 Bruckner 7, Mov. 1, 2, 4 Bruckner 9, all of it. Strauss' Don Juan Strauss' Ein Heldenleben Tchaikovsky 2, Mov. 4 Tchaikovsky 4, Mov. 1, 4 Tchaikovsky 6, Mov. 1, 3 Wagner, pretty much everything he ever wrote ever Stravinsky: Rite Stravinsky: Firebird A bunch of other operas such as the Verdi you quoted. Shostokovich 5, Mov. 4 (and 1 somewhat) Berlioz: Requiem, Tuba Mirum Berlioz: Symphonie Fantastique, Mov. 4 and 5 Respighi: Pines of Rome, part 4 Mussorgsky: Night on Bald Mountain Mussorgsky: Pictures at an Exhibition, Catacombs, Great Gate of Kiev (and others) Holst: Planets, Mars, Venus, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus I might as well name the entire Romantic period minus stupid composers like Grieg, Schumann, and Chopin who didn't use the brass sections effectively. Any questions?

In my experience the romantic era made the brass section more important. The trumpet becomes more than an extention of the timpani (cf typical classisictic and early romantic orchestration). I think of say, Tschay 4, Shos 11/12, not to speak the later german high romantic (blech) The biggest issue is balancing with the woodwinds. That is I think the main reason for some reluctance.

Compose, compose, compose, and compose some more. You can compare composing to art/drawing. Sure there needs to be some talent, but at the same time you have to do a lot. Like Robin Jessome said, you need to practice. Read theory books, familierize yourself with what instruments can or can't do, and listen to a lot of music. Find out what other composers do that makes what they write work. Think about what makes a good phrase, what holds a section of music together, and then imitate the process by using their framework but with your original material. Finally, remember, becoming a good composer, takes a lot of time!

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