Self-analysis, an alternative to theorizing?

In addition to the renowned treatises and articles written by composer-theorists of the twentieth century (e.g., Schoenberg, Boulez or Lachenmann) there is a category of writings by composers that is less known and familiar: self-analysis. We distinguish these texts for their openly subjective/introspective, descriptive character situated in the context of a work or specific project. Unlike theoretical texts that develop formal, general (or generalizable) theses, independent of all the particularities of works, self-analysis proposes foremost, accounts of or commentaries on the creative experience of the composer. Through this paper, we introduce and discuss a number of these texts that cover various genres and formats: analysis of the composer's own music, work diary, and philosophical dialogue. Finally, we question its theoretical potential and relationship to the current development of "research in art".