Esa-Pekka Salonen
Composer Music Director, Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra


I have been using various notation software programs for several years now. The advantages of a powerful notation program with MIDI capabilities are enormous from a musician's point of view. Computer notation makes several previously very labor-intensive operations in composition very simple: transposing, doubling, editing; even experimenting with macro form. MIDI makes it possible to actually hear what you write. Even the most complex structures can be reproduced with a synthesizer with amazing accuracy.

The main problem, however, from a classically trained composer's point of view is the fact that most existing software has been designed for pop and rock musicians, writers of simple songs or straight-forward orchestra or band arrangements. Obviously, these types of software are completely inadequate when a more intricate rhythmic and tonal language is used.

There are a couple of programs geared towards the needs of professional classical composers. Despite the fact that these programs offer a great deal of control over various parameters of notation, they are very heavy and slow to use, and mostly very unstable and unreliable in everyday use.

It has been my dream for years to have a notation/MIDI program, that 'thinks' like me, i.e. a composer of modern classical music. A program that understands the workings of harmonics, microintervals and unconventional playing techniques. A program that has no limitations in terms of complex rhythm and metre. A program that can read articulation, dynamics and expression on the fly, as you feed in the notes on a MIDI keyboard.

Igor™ is the dream come true. Designed by a distinguished composer, Peter Bengtson, together with a team of programming and music experts, myself included, Igor™ is by far the most powerful and flexible, yet easy-to-use and speedy notation software available today.

It is designed for a serious classical composer, but can also satisfy the needs of any musician of any style or area more comprehensively than any other existing program on the market today.

I'm extremely proud to be a part of the illustrious team of Igor™.