When I left Europe in 1987 I did so with the thought that my relevance as a composition teacher would benefit from a certain cool distance to certain tendencies I had been observing for several years with increasing disquiet.

In this quote, Brian Ferneyhough, a prominent composer, reflects on his decision to leave Europe in 1987, driven by his belief that distance from the region would enhance his relevance as a composition teacher. Ferneyhough acknowledges that his departure was influenced by his growing sense of disquiet about certain trends he had been observing in the world of music composition. By distancing himself, he hoped to gain a clearer perspective on the evolving landscape of music and teaching.

The phrase "certain cool distance" refers to his desire to remove himself from the immediate pressures and trends of European musical culture. Ferneyhough felt that being physically removed from these tendencies would allow him to better reflect on and critique them, as well as bring a more objective approach to his teaching. His sense of disquiet suggests that he was increasingly uncomfortable with the direction that certain trends in composition were taking and felt that a fresh perspective was necessary.

Ferneyhough’s decision to leave was not just about physical distance, but also about maintaining his relevance as an educator. He recognized that the music world was changing, and in order to remain effective as a teacher, he needed to detach from the specific trends and pressures that he felt were shaping the field in a direction he did not fully agree with. His move was an effort to preserve his integrity as an educator and continue contributing meaningfully to the field of composition.

Ultimately, this quote illustrates Ferneyhough’s commitment to his principles as both a teacher and composer. His decision to leave Europe was not a retreat but a conscious effort to reevaluate and adapt to a changing world of music composition, allowing him to remain a relevant and thoughtful voice in the field.