How To Compose A Symphony?

Yes, I completely agree with the idea that people procrastinate. Of course they do. I am the king of procrastination! One might even argue that I could, instead, right now be working on the aforementioned symphony instead of crafting my latest post here. However, not all diversions are procrastinations, and not all procrastinations can be easily diagnosed. 

A long term collaborator and I would often get together to "work," and quite often those sessions would begin with an hour our more of discussion. In these discussions, no subject was off the table because any subject could (and usually did) yield not only creative pathways but also the reinforcement of our creative chemistry. Eventually, it was simply acknowledged that these conversations were as integral to our process as playing instruments or pushing buttons on the DAW. Indeed, these conversations were themselves the "work."

And this question asked by "Jonas" - albeit 10 years ago now - has yielded (for the most part) what I consider to be a brilliant conversation! My only regret is not joining it earlier - I dearly hope Jonas was not thwarted and has found his way (back) to writing a symphony. I hope he has composed several. If not, I hope he finds his way back to this conversation and finds his inspiration to get started!

I say: ask the questions. Then ask more. Then ask someone/somewhere else. Had Jonas not, this conversation wouldn't have happened, and important feedback and resources for answering that question - a procrastination or not - would not have been shared. And yes, if there is a concern that such a question means the asker knows not what a symphony is, let's find out, and let's guide them toward an answer to that question as well (as some have tried to do here). Let's offer our answers based on our education and our opinions, with the intention of creating opportunities for the asker, share the resources we feel are useful, and never pretend that we are the ultimate authority on the subject. I am most certainly not.

I say, let's not assume that this question was asked to distract from the task at hand. Let's assume the best of any who ask questions. Let's get to the bottom of their questions, see what else is there. Is it procrastination? Is it an unfounded feeling of inadequacy? If so, bravo for having the courage to ask. And bravo (Jonas) for continuing the conversation even after being challenged for just asking the question - I'm not sure I would have had the fortitude. 

When I look back on my early indications of being a composer, I dearly wish that I'd asked more questions - even if they were the "wrong" questions. Someone somewhere out there might have had an answer that could have opened up worlds for me that are only just now becoming available. 

But it's never too late to start asking questions. Indeed, one should never stop asking questions. I haven't. In fact, does anybody have any resources they can share that have been instrumental in their development as a composer - specifically for symphonic works? Also, please share links to your own work - I'm always craving original works for inspiration and enjoyment! 

Hey @AaronCadamSamuels,

You don't have to get agitated to reply with the same message five times!

Actually we agree on the point that we should get into composing itself to learn the most. What we don't agree on its the intention behind the question and whether by questioning it achieves the best effect on learning how to write a Symphony.

5 hours ago, AaronCadamSamuels said:

Let's offer our answers based on our education and our opinions, with the intention of creating opportunities for the asker, share the resources we feel are useful, and never pretend that we are the ultimate authority on the subject. I am most certainly not.

I am sure no one here pretends to be the ultimate authority on the subject. We have already provided the answers we can have on the subject. What I insist on is the that asking the question "How to write a Symphony" won't help the questioner to know how to write a Symphony. First is the question itselr which is quite hollow. He can ask more specifically for more detailed answers as this is the art of asking. Second is the act of asking itself would not help. I don't think music as an art can be attained through asking in an analytical way. The curiousity should be left instead to exploring the masterpieces and crucial books by oneself. Answers can be given with the specific details and useful resources but one has to decide for himself whether he is ready for writing a Symphony. Even though I say you must listen to blah blah blah, you will not be sure whether the effect will be the same for the questioner as you youself is since everyone's taste and talent is different and as Quinn noted, any answers can thwart one from finishing a Symphony. Beauty as Kant noted is subjective but everyone claims objective in it. This pretended objectivity can cause harm to the questioner if it is taken as an answer by an  ultimate authority as you claim. Mahler says that a Symphony should be a World, but even his saying should not be treated as an absolute dogma as well.

5 hours ago, AaronCadamSamuels said:

Also, please share links to your own work - I'm always craving original works for inspiration and enjoyment! 

Haha if you are interested in my works you can find them in the following link:

https://www.youngcomposers.com/p21047/henry-ng-tsz-kiu/?tab=field_core_pfield_24

Unfortunately there aren't any Symphonic works since I am not prepared to it! Though I am self-learning orchestration I know I am still not ready for it.

I enjoy this great debate though!

Henry