Mr. Cowen says, with reference to his mode of composing: "I usually
work by fits and starts, or rather, I should say, that I work sometimes
for months continuously, almost all day and evening with little rest,
especially when I am engaged upon a large work, for then I can think of
nothing else: it weighs upon my mind until completed. At other times,
perhaps, I do little or nothing (except a few songs, etc.) for a month
or two, lying quite fallow. This may be a greater strain than working
systematically all the year round, but I cannot bear when engaged on
anything important to lose the thread of it for a single moment."
As to composing to a piano, Mr. Cowen believes in it when writing for
_voices_ and singing every note and word oneself, but otherwise his
opinion is that the music is very apt to be unvocal. In the case of
_choral works_, he often makes the vocal score first, having made up
his mind thoroughly beforehand what the orchestration is to be.
"I never work now very late into the night," continues the composer,
"though I used to; usually beginning about 10 or 10.30 a.m., and
leaving off about 11 or 12 p.m., with intervals for meals and a
constitutional (this is, of course, when working hard). Every
composer should have a notebook of some sort to jot down ideas in
when necessary. I may say, however, that I have carried about with
me (mentally only) whole songs or movements perfected, sometimes for
three or four years without writing down a note, and have afterwards
used them in almost the exact state in which they were photographed
in my brain! I do not think it possible for composition to be taught
or acquired, that is, _real_ composition. I daresay that anyone
with a certain musical taste can be taught to string a melody and
accompaniment together; but the _genuine_ thing must be born in one,
though, of course, the gift is useless, or at least crude, without
serious cultivation."
Mr. Cowen considers his best work up to the present the "Symphony in F,
No. 8," and his new opera "Sigrid" (not yet performed).
In conclusion he says: "I do not believe in composers writing 'to
order,' as a general rule, but I think they may often do their best
work under pressure, and when they know it must be completed by a
certain time. Of course, this means that the time allowed them is
sufficiently long to prevent their unduly hurrying or 'scamping' their
work."
The few bars of music are the beginning of a song published in an album
of twelve by various composers, the words of which are by H. Boulton.
[Illustration]