Episode 35: An Interview with Daniel Dorff

Flute 360

Flute 360 | Episode 35: “An Interview with Daniel Dorff” (1:20:50)

In today’s episode, Heidi talks with Daniel Dorff who is a composer, an editor for Theodore Presser Company, clarinetist, and saxophonist. Heidi and Daniel talk about his musical background, compositional process, his works, and much more! Check out today’s episode for more details.

Episode 35 – Main Points:

• 0:53 – Introduction
• 1:25 – Daniel Dorff’s Background
• 3:51 – Picture of Daniel playing “Locomotive Breath” (Image 6)
• 6:55 – Composer: Paul Creston
• 8:50 – Cornell University’s Department of Music
• 9:09 – University of Pennsylvania’s Department of Music
• 9:11 – Composer: George Crumb
• 11:03 – Composers: Vincent Persichetti, David Diamond, Rochberg, and Crumb
• 11:27 – Question: What is your compositional process like?
• 13:00 – Metaphor: “Write drunk, edit sober.”
• 16:48 – Comparison to the other arts (literature, painting, sculpting, and more).
• 18:55 – “Music is liquid architecture; Architecture is frozen music.” – Goethe
• 19:33 – Theodore Presser Company
• 21:04 – Finale and Sibelius
• 21:56 – “I don’t think about technology when I compose.” – Daniel
• 23:41 – Your unique voice and expressing your own story!
• 24:31 – Question: What’s the story behind your piano?
• 24:59 – Steinway piano from 1912.
• 25:29 – Composers: Rachmaninoff, Ravel, and others!
• 26:58 – Composer: Lowell Liebermann
• 29:10 – Question: What are your goals and intentions when writing for the flute?
• 29:34 – Answer
• 3005 – Ibert’s Concertino for Saxophone
• 31:22 – “I want to write and I want to stretch the repertoire. I want to write music that people want to play.” – Daniel
• 31:44 – “What is the special potential for that particular instrument?” – Daniel
• 32:45 – “I just love the sound of music. It’s like taking a warm bath and smelling the perfume and it’s so sensual – the sound of music. It’s beauty, it’s escapism, it’s make-believe, happy places...” – Daniel
• 33:52 – Prokoviev’s & Poulenc’s Flute Sonatas
• 34:13 – Debussy’s “Syrinx” & Bach’s “Partita in a minor”
• 36:39 – Possible ballet commissions?
• 36:47 – Klimt’s “Der Kuss” (1908)
• 37:19 – Daniel’s orchestral piece based on Klimt’s “Der Kuss” (“The Kiss”)
• 38:15 – Question
• 39:22 – Answer
• 41:21 – “Vive la différence!”
• 42:09 – Daniel Dorff’s “Sonata (Three Lakes)” for Flute and Piano
• 43:05 – Viviana Guzman’s interview with Christina Jennings
• 44:42 – “Pretend that I’m dead and play it that way.” – Daniel
• 49:00 – Question
• 50:00 – Answer
• 52:37 – True Confessions!
• 53:42 – Question: What advice would you give to the budding new composer?
• 54:00 – Advice for the young composer who’s considering this career path.
• 55:34 – “Do you want to be a composer, or do you want to compose?” – Daniel’s Professor
• 57:13 – Career Advice
• 57:40 – Iceberg Analogy
• 59:06 – “...you might as well have Ethel Merman singing it!” – Daniel
• 1:00:00 – Composers: Mouquet and Chaminade
• 1:01:19 – Question
• 1:01:40 – Answer
• 1:03:50 – Spring Festival: The Joy of Discovery
• 1:05:27 – Daniel’s musical discovery about his own piece “Sonata (Three Lakes)”
• 1:08:23 – Daniel shares a musical story.
• 1:08:39 – Composer: Dvorak
• 1:09:28 – Dvorak’s Cello Concerto
• 1:10:15 – Martinu’s Flute Sonata & Trio for Flute, Cello, & Piano
• 1:11:15 – Composer: Brahms
• 1:12:57 – Conclusion
• 1:14:00 – Picks!

Picks:

Daniel

• Arnica Cream for Pain Relief

Heidi

• Movie: Leave No Trace
• Book: Drive by Daniel Pink

Episode 35 – Resources Mentioned:

• Heidi Kay Begay’s Website
• J&K Productions’ Website
• Daniel Dorff’s Concertino for Flute and Orchestra - Performed by Jasmine Choi
• Daniel Dorff’s Website