Errollyn Wallen

Available for over a year

Inspired by Rilke's letters to an aspiring poet, five leading composers write a personal letter to a young composer – real or imagined – with their thoughts about their craft, their influences and the things they wish they'd known when they were starting out. Covering themes of luck, resilience, an itinerant life and the seismic effects of Artificial Intelligence, these deeply personal essays reflect the realities of life as a leading composer. For this Essay, Errollyn Wallen has written a series of letters to an imaginary younger composer, reflecting on dedication, jealousy and the importance of hard work.