Musical Borrowing Under Scrutiny

Plagiarism? Excessive borrowing? The normal creative process? Suggestions that Osvaldo Golijov, one of today’s most sought-after composers, improperly incorporated the work of another composer have stirred up a squall in classical music circles. Critics have weighed in on the subject, prompting a discussion of what exactly is this strange thing called the creative process and whether audiences know exactly what they are getting when an orchestra puts a new piece on the program.