What is the best possible way for someone to be introduced to your music? Benjamin Lees

In centuries past, the ONLY way one could become familiar with a composer’s music was to hear it at a live concert. Today, of course, we not only have live concerts but recordings, radio (to an extent), scores, the internet and heaven knows what else. The key question, of course, is which approach is best for one to become acquainted with a composer’s work.

Initially I prefer the recording, for in that way a listener may hear a piece an infinite number of times, whereas a live concert provides but one hearing.

I suppose the best way of becoming acquainted is to have a score at hand while following the recorded piece, or trying to play the piece from the score at the piano — assuming one has been extremely well trained. Otherwise, I opt for the recording.