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Interview with Edward Top
February 14, 2011
Edward Top is a composer. For information about his work, visit www.edwardtop.com.
Tibbetts: How long have you composed, and what made you decide to become a composer?
Top: Initially I was going to be a painter, although music has been an obsession for as long as I can remember. Through hearing Louis Andriessen's De Materie and being part as a violinist of the Rotterdam-Conservatory orchestra performing Stravinsky's Rite of Spring in 1991 I knew I was going to be a composer (although my work has never had much in common with neither one of these composers). I.e. that's 20 years now.
Tibbetts: What inspires you?
Top: Painting, reading philosophy, the news and politics, heavy metal, hearing music that angers me, hearing music that brings me into a state of revelry, processes of musical material during composing itself.
Tibbetts: Of all you have done, what do you consider your best work, and why?
Top: Three pieces: String Quartet #1 (1998) for pushing technical boundaries of the medium and musically representing its source of inspiration (Last-Judgment paintings by Hieronymus Bosch); Symphony Golden Dragon (2001) for its dealing with historic and non-western references and instrumentation; and Concerto for Violin and Two Orchestras (2007) for pushing technical boundaries of the violin and how its melodic lines are interwoven with the spatially set-up orchestras. These three works all went through different stages and revisions.
Tibbetts: What is your 'typical day' like?
Top: I wish there was a typical day, I cannot imagine there being such a thing in any composer's life! At least I do not belong to that group of composers who consistently work and write something every day. Anyway, during the days close to a deadline it's composing from 12 pm to 2 am. I can't work in the mornings.
Tibbetts: Do you have any words of wisdom to offer to aspiring composers and musicians?
Top: There is no reason why you want to, or why the world wants you to be a composer or musician unless you expect the best of yourself. This means putting your pride aside and taking advice from those who take the time and effort to perform your work. Never give up and don't be discouraged by anything. Like Stockhausen said to Rihm: "Heed your inner voice."
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