I’ve been listening to my son’s compositions lately, and something struck me…
They feel like stories that haven’t been written yet.
Not just emotional—but structured in a way that feels like scenes unfolding. Tension, movement, release… like the music already knows where it’s going.
It made me wonder—
Do some compositions lead the story, rather than follow it?
Like the narrative already exists… we just haven’t caught up to it yet.
Curious if anyone else has experienced this—where the music feels like it’s revealing something, not just expressing it.
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In my opinion, I’d say that compositions neither lead or follow the story, but walk beside it. However, this would stand true if it were presented with an actually picture. Without an actual picture, all would be left up to the listener’s imagination; in which they would be the determinants of the story being told through the composition presented.
If the composition leads the story, then the composition is the sole focal point, drawing away from the story. If it follows, then it determines what the listener/viewer is to feel: thus partially taking away the actual organic experience of going for the ride in the story.
As an undergird, support, partner etc. on the other hand: things are certain to be experienced.
My two cents.