A composer

Composers are responsible for every single note played by the orchestra.

Composition, whether it is done through a computer software or a piece of paper and pen that is then shortly after played by a real and palpable ensemble of strings, wind instruments, and percussion, the job carries the same weight. However, the difference between a digital orchestra and a real orchestra is from the earth to Saturn and that is a blog post of its own, which I would love to dive in at another occasion. For now, I'll say that an orchestra is an autonomous organism, composed by the most humane individuals, who are deeply in touch and fully cultured and experienced in the expression of human emotion through their instruments. A real orchestra interprets life through life.

I work in a small environment, using a few utensils- my blank score book, a pencil, and my computer. As you can see, nowadays, any musician can decide to compose if they choose to. The equipment and resources are unlimited and the digital age of music technology has been emerging very powerfully in the last few years- thus, the technology is more accessible than ever. As a musician, I cannot find a more fulfilling task than the one found in composition. The enormous responsibility and weight of an orchestra, or a quintet or a solo piece is one that is worth all of the work behind it.

I work on bringing my music brand and ideas to life in different ways, with different sounds and moods. This process entails (for me personally) constant study of the craft, of the instruments, the history, etc. I also often draw from vibrant memories or elements in life that I feel strongly about and that I would like to emulate through music, for example in my album- Spain in Strings. I have had a love for Spanish music since childhood, particularly Flamenco. As a teenager, I can recall times where I continuously shared my love of Flamenco with my peers; I would try to convert them to the Flamenco masters, Paco de Lucia, El camaron de la Isla, Estrella Morente, etc. Spain in Strings was my first official record, and every second of it was as intense as the next and as reminiscent of my childhood years as ever. Music composition is often a reflection of the most private and personal feelings and emotions of the composer.

As a composer, after having worked on a piece or a project for a long period of time, with the intensity that the music requires, I never really listen to the composed work after it is done. I guess, I can relate it to preparing for an exam; after I do all of the hard work of preparation, I take the test with all the knowledge and will in my being and following that, all of my energy is focused on recovering from that intense and stressful yet beautiful process.

The end product of this creative process gets translated, not just into a music score, but also into an idea that can potentially bring light to other cultures, other ways of life, or other philosophies. This result is something that music does better than any other medium, it informs, it educates, and it unites.

Not a single day has been the same ever since I started this adventure of composing my own music, this malleable feature of my job excites me and I love it! I jump from elaborating new concepts about my next piece, to laying down the foundations in terms of what the mood of the next one is going to be, to drawing from my pool of personal experiences to get daily inspiration, to planning photo shoots for the brand, to choosing photos and videos for Instagram.

I love getting to work on this message of music across all barriers, and bringing it to life.

Much love,

Hefzi Molina