Tõnu Kõrvits: Composers Should Not Leave Audiences Feeling Broken

Composer Tõnu Kõrvits describes his creative process as seeing music before he hears it, meticulously writing notes onto paper with a pencil. For Kõrvits, one thing is certain: his compulsion to create music is not tied to festivals, recording opportunities, or whether a renowned conductor might commission and perform his work internationally.

He unequivocally states that he simply "cannot do otherwise." This response echoes the sentiment posed by Rainer Maria Rilke in his famous "Letters to a Young Poet," questioning whether one would pursue their art if they received no money for it. Kõrvits's answer is immediate and final, suggesting the matter is self-explanatory and requires no further elaboration.

His dedication to composing, regardless of external validation or financial gain, highlights a profound internal drive. The certainty with which he asserts his inability to stop creating music underscores a deep-seated passion and commitment to his art form.

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I cannot do otherwise.