Meet our Artists #1: Ardovino, Schwartz, Horne

This is the first in a series of features to introduce you to the talented folks composing and arranging the music available from Potenza. We’ll introduce you to three of our artists at a time, showcasing a short interview with each and links to their music. Please meet: Lori Ardovino, Francis Schwartz, Benjamin Horne

Or jump straight down to the music available from these three: Music from Our Featured Artists

Lori Ardovino

What or who was the catalyst that led you to begin composing music?

I was inspired to compose by my first music theory teacher, Dr. Henry Gwiazda at Minnesota State University, Moorhead.  We had an assignment in theory to compose a piece for your own instrument and he saw promise in mine and encouraged me to start writing.

What do you believe is the role of the composer in today’s world?

A composers life in today’s world is more varied than ever.  There are so many outlets for composers now, everyone finds their niche in the music world and there are so many possibilities, you just have to look for them.

How would you describe your creative process?

My creative process is totally intuitive.  I write what I think sounds like it fits, whether it does or not!  I also love writing for voice using humorous text. 

What three adjectives would you attach to your music?

Illustrative, colorful, capricious

How do you feel before you begin a new composition; and how do you feel upon its completion?

It always depends on what I’m writing for – if I understand the instrument or have a text to work with, it’s easy.  If it’s something I’m not comfortable with, it’s a harder start.  I feel great when I get a work finished, especially if it was one of those I’m not so comfortable with!

Francis Schwartz

What or who was the catalyst that led you to begin composing music?

My musically enamored Viennese mother nudged me into piano studies at the age of 5. Nothing remarkable happened until I was 9 years old when in a larcenous moment, I decided to compose my own ditty at the piano. I used different colored crayons to write the notes on staff paper and stole some very fine French perfumes from my Mom’s dresser in order to impregnate the paper with special aromas. The multi-sensorial approach to composing music has remained an important element in my armamentarium of ‘polyartistic’ tools.

What do you believe is the role of the composer in today’s world?

I believe that a composer, as other responsible citizens, should be active in the issues of his/her time. A composer has a marvelous mode of communication with the world that allows him to reach a vast audience if he chooses to do so. One can write songs, operas, music theater where lyrics can directly convey specific ideas. Or, by using a jarring dynamic vocabulary or form, insinuate the element of CHANGE, by stylistic example. Beethoven began his First Symphony with a secondary dominant harmony. He also began his Fourth Piano Concerto with the solo piano instead of an orchestral introduction. That’s like guillotining heads during the French Revolution.

How would you describe your creative process?

I have FUN! I enjoy the challenge of a new work and feel invigorated by the new undertaking. It frees me to immerse myself in the creative process while temporarily avoiding the idiotic political repetitions of a planet determined to destroy itself.

What three adjectives would you attach to your music?

Provocative, passionate and frequently humorous.

How do you feel before you begin a new composition; and how do you feel upon its completion?

As I commented above, it gives me great pleasure to start a new work. I have a great deal of energy and enthusiasm. Upon completion, there is both satisfaction and a type of post-partum sadness. Our works are in so many ways, our children. You launch them into the world and then they take on a life of their own.

Benjamin Horne

What or who was the catalyst that led you to begin composing music?

I was exposed to drum corps and marching band at a young age. I was always moved by the sound of a hornline and wanted to learn how they sounded that way. So, I started teaching myself how to transcribe shows.

What do you believe is the role of the composer in today’s world?

I believe the role of the composer/arranger at any time is to reflect the lives, experiences, and emotions of the people.

How would you describe your creative process?

Methodical – I always take the time to put a plan in place early on in the process. From there I can build from that foundation. 

What three adjectives would you attach to your music?

Diverse, authentic, genuine

How do you feel before you begin a new composition; and how do you feel upon its completion?

Starting new works or arrangements brings me much excitement. I enjoy the process of figuring things out. Once the work is completed and premiered there’s honestly a lot of emotions at play for me. It’s like sending a child off to their first day of school/camp. There’s a certain sense of pride and joy, but also admittedly a little anxiety.

Music from Our Featured Artists

Music from the three talented artists we interviewed is listed below. You can also go here to filter this featured music by instrument, ensemble type, etc.