It is truly I: Eric Whitacre. A fan forwarded me the link to this discussion, knowing that I was a fan of Ayn Rand's. As further proof of my identity, I did in fact receive the email sent to me by gnargtharst, sent to me through my website.
I now understand your argument, coircefox. While not an atheist, I certainly don't consider myself religious, and frankly, I just haven't found the words to express the way I feel when I am composing. Of this I am almost certain: it is not always rational, and the creative force oftentimes feels as if it is coming from a place that is unknown to my conscious mind. Perhaps you are right, I simply lack the vocabulary, or the understanding of my own technique to properly name it. But I don't think that is the case.
I use 'spiritual' as shorthand for 'exalted,' or 'awe-filled.'
To the best of my knowledge, only one of my works actually references the word "God," and again, for me it is simply a convenient way to express the inexpressible. Even Ayn Rand famously used the phrase 'Thank God,' and explained it further by saying that she liked the phrase because it simply meant 'the highest.'
Also, I'm not claiming to be a hard-core objectivist. I'm just a man trying to write beautiful, TRUE music.
