Uncompromised Simplicity

Despite studying fifteen years of violin when I was growing up, I rarely listen to classical music these days (yup, it’s still mostly jazz, as I’ve gone on about before…).

But I’m a huge fan of the New Yorker’s classical music critic, Alex Ross. Not only is he a fantastic writer, but he has an openness and innocence in his approach to music of all styles, which I think is a needed and refreshing perspective, especially for that magazine.

Recently he quoted a rule from a composer named Bruce Adolphe: “To say exactly what one means without complication but also without compromise.”

Adolphe may have intended his reflection for composers, but no mantra could ring more true for songwriters. Gotta post that one on my wall.