The value of good performers

In a previous post I talked about hiring performers and receiving great performances and recordings.  This got me thinking.  The price you pay for the performers is the cost of good performers.  What is the value of good performers?  Why should I go to the expense of paying a lot of money for someone to perform 8-10 minutes of music?

Well, the simplest answer is to get a good performance and recording.  Okay, I get that, but what does this really mean?  The performance happens once and it is over.  Usually the performance is captured in a recording and you can keep it.  When thinking about it, I realize that it is what you do next that makes the difference.

If you wind up "sitting" on the recording, then it does nothing for you other than add to your portfolio.  You can use these good recordings to help solicit more performances, either of the same work or another work.  Often, performers and conductors are interested in hearing a composer's music.  Providing high-quality recordings will more accurately depict the sense of style and technique the composer utilizes.

Building relationships, through networking and hiring performers can lead to more opportunities.  Performers who have played your music before may be interested in new works.  Also, the performers may recommend your music to other performers and conductors.