Many times, we assert that music is the art that brings people together, and even though this statement often refers to classical music enthusiasts, it equally applies to the artists themselves.
Collaboration among artists is an essential element in the development of young artists, as it brings numerous benefits, whether it’s collaborating with experienced artists or those who are just starting their journey. If we take a brief look at contemporary music genres, excluding classical music, we can see that after a collaboration, the artists involved often benefit because each gains from the other’s image and access to a loyal audience.
The principles mentioned earlier can also be successfully applied to classical music, but here, there are certainly additional benefits beyond image and popularity among listeners. Whether we’re talking about duets or collaborations in chamber ensembles, musical interaction is extremely important for any artist aiming to progress.
How can we engage in collaborations? How do we know when they are beneficial? It’s simple! You need to assess what you stand to gain in line with your established objectives for a collaboration.
First and foremost, it’s worth mentioning that any collaboration is beneficial to a greater or lesser extent for artistic development. Still, if they don’t lead to mutual progress for the artists involved, we can’t say they are very productive and, in that case, they may remain merely a way to pass the time (if there’s any left). As an initial example, consider the collaboration between a young artist and an experienced one. It’s evident that in this case, the emerging artist benefits from the experience of the more seasoned artist, while the experienced artist gains fresh energy, a new interpretation style, and possibly access to a different audience.
As previously mentioned, everyone benefits! However, the example provided above may seem logical, but let’s examine the benefits in other scenarios.
In ancient times, cultural exchange between civilizations was vital for human development. So, why can’t an exchange of artistic experiences through concrete collaborations bring similar benefits? Undoubtedly, this is the primary advantage of a collaboration—the exchange of ideas when trying to determine how a piece will be interpreted on stage is beneficial for personal development.
The world of classical music doesn’t aim to preserve the works of composers like Vivaldi, Mozart, or Brahms in a single interpretation. Therefore, the exchange of ideas resulting from a collaboration will help you gain new perspectives on pieces you may have considered standardized.
Any collaboration enhances your ability to listen actively! Active listening is perhaps one of the most crucial qualities if you want to participate in an orchestra or chamber ensemble. As with any skill, it develops over time, so collaborating with other artists will undoubtedly help you improve your ability to listen to what is happening musically around you.
It’s important to understand as an artist that you need as many collaborations as possible and that you can’t isolate yourself from other artists, even if you are a successful artist. Even in classical music, new trends emerge rapidly, so to succeed in such a dynamic artistic world, you must continually seek communication and idea exchange. The most effective way to do this is by collaborating with other artists.
Don’t make the mistake of seeking only artists who share your vision or are very close to you, as in such cases, you may not evolve. So, be open and constantly seek interesting collaborations that will refine you as an artist.
For more info check:
