Experiencing Music, a composer's notes, translated, edited and introduced by Paul Rapoport with a foreword by Robert Simpson. This is a book for serious and genuine music lovers since it treats of a composer who was that himself. As Robert Simpson points out, Holmboe was also a genius. He had a healthy interest in life. He observed the growing of plants and trees, natural processes and such discipline is found in his music.
Trees grow quietly without pomposity and hype, confident in their purpose and function.
So it is with quality music. No 8 is another case in point as Simpson once pointed out. Holmboe reminds us that human development depends on thought and culture and the reward comes when we are involved with our minds. Superficial enjoyment results in passive stagnation. Examining boards fuss over students' correct playing of musical ornaments and there is such a palaver about authenticity and how Bach would have played it.