96. Multi-Tasking

I received the eye-catching graphic above when I recently joined the Dramatists Guild. It had an immediate appeal to me because it illustrated the bringing together of complementary elements which has been a cornerstone of my creative life. I am primarily a composer/pianist who enjoys writing and playing music of different styles and periods. That's quite a bit of diversity in itself. But I have also written 4 plays which involved the writing of music, lyrics and a libretto. (Another Dramatists Guild member who looked at the Poems page on my website recently also enjoyed my poems!)

The arts are largely populated with specialists who have invested their time and talent in mastering a particular discipline. They are the pillars of their respective fields. They set the standard and my hat is off to them. Some specialists however have turned a sceptical and uncomprehending eye on my work because it covers such a wide range of endeavors. So in a world where specialization is the norm, I have come to think of myself as a generalist.

The best example of a generalist that I can think of from history is Leonardo DaVinci. I am no DaVinci, but I share his drive to explore new horizons wherever they lead. It is essential to be able use whatever vocabulary and medium is needed to make your point. And that has always been the North Star guiding my work, which is why when I received the graphic above I wanted to share it with others.

Speaking of diversity, upcoming blogs will cover the new modern Ballet Suite I am composing, my new piano repertoire in progress, and an upcoming performance and recording of my Concertpiece for clarinet, horn and piano in the works for early 2026. So stay tuned, and thanks for stopping by!