What's it like to be Eric Sweeney?
A short, informal question and answer interview with Eric Sweeney. Originally published in 2004
1. How and when did you get interested in composing?
About the age of 16, no idea how...
2. Is composing your 'day job' or do you do something else as well?
I lecture in music at Waterford Institute of Technology.
3. Where do you mostly get your ideas?
No idea!
4. What are you working on at the moment?
A guitar concerto for Irish guitarist John Feeley, a commission from the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra, a cantata for youth orchestra and choir, an organ work, a piano duet/eight hands piece, and a commission for a work for organ and cello.
5. Describe your typical working day.
Owing to teaching/playing commitments, I don't have a regular time to compose.
6. What is it like hearing a new piece played for the first time?
It's usually very satisfying, and always as I imagined it.
7. What has been the highlight of your career so far?
Various residencies as composer at Illinois University, Portland University, Oregon, Memorial University, Newfoundland, Newport Music Festival, Rhode Island.
8. What has been the lowlight of your career so far?
Not aware of one, apart from having to fill in this form!
9. What is your greatest ambition?
To be a better musician -- and winning the Lottery would come in handy!
10. Which musician in history do you most admire and why?
Elgar for being a great composer while plagued with self-doubt, Bach for being Bach, and Monteverdi and Mozart for their instinctive dramatic flair.
11. Which present-day musician do you most admire and why?
I've just discovered the music of Einojuhani Rautavaara, which is marvelous; John Adams for his infectiously alive music; Messiaen (OK, he's dead) for his unique vision etc.
12. Which period of history would you most like to have lived in and why?
I'm quite happy being in the 21st century.
13. What is the best thing about being a composer?
Never having to say you are sorry.
14. What is the worst thing about being a composer?
Universal neglect.
15. If you weren't a composer, what other career might you have chosen?
Dancer/silversmith/medical doctor.
16. What is your concept of heaven?
Pretty much where I now live: tranquil countryside, sea views, a lake to fish in and a marked absence of humanity.
17. What is your concept of hell?
I agree with Sartre, 'L'enfer c'est les autres' (hell is other people).
18. What is your favourite food?
I have simple tastes: lobster and foie gras are fine by me.
19. If someone gave you three months off with unlimited travel and living expenses, what would you do?
Perhaps visit China and Lapland.
20. If you could have one thing in the world that would really help you as a composer, what would it be?
Composers compose, regardless of other factors.