Composed Quote by Lucinda Childs
“"Light Over Water" is the longest piece I have ever composed. It is a landmark in my personal struggle to create large forms. I feel that it is by and large a formally successful work, though I was constrained to write a piece at least fifty minutes long, and there are some dead spots in the music where I think I was simply marking time. However, I think when the dance is in motion, the formal problem is nonexistent.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: The New York Times, 1995
The composer sees the piece as a personal milestone in tackling large-scale form, acknowledging constraints and occasional weak moments but believing movement resolves formal issues.
In simple terms: A long composition marks personal growth despite flaws.
Key Takeaway
Embrace scale, accept imperfections, focus on motion.
Themes
creativity
form
growth
music
performance
Mood
reflective
determined
optimistic
Type
artistic
philosophical
When to use this quote
- concert programming
- academic study
- personal reflection
- performance rehearsal
Key Concepts
composition
formalist tension
temporal perception
Questions to Reflect On
- How does movement change your perception of structure?
- Can constraints spark innovation?
A Different Perspective
Long works can feel forced if not organically motivated.
