Without a compelling visual image, David Arkenstone can't compose a note.
But when images evoke strong emotions - such as the many scenes of human triumph and defeat played out in the Olympics competition - the notes come with ease.Joining the Utah Symphony for the first time, Arkenstone will perform music from his just-released album, "The Spirit of Olympia," at 8 p.m. Saturday, May 23, in Symphony Hall.
"The Olympics are more than a sporting event," Arkenstone said in a Deseret News interview. "It's experiencing the obsession and commitment it takes for someone to get to the Olympics - to obtain excellence."
His bold, compelling music depicts the excitement of flags and people from throughout the world gathering; the winning spirit of a marathoner who "has what it takes to break ahead of the crowd" and the disappointment of "losing in front of millions of people."
"The worst experience in the world would be to take fourth place in an Olympic competition," he said. "You'd be so close, yet so far away."
Arkenstone and his family moved last year from Los Angeles to Park City, where he finds the atmosphere more conducive to composing - and recreating. He's learning to ski and enjoys the natural beauty of Utah's mountains. He would love Park City to host the winter Olympics.
In addition to music from his "Olympia" album, Arkenstone will feature music from his many albums, like the chart-topping "In the Wake of the Wind," that highlight his impressive career. He jokingly calls the concert "The Arkenstone's Greatest Hits (with Orchestra) Performance."
He emphasizes the "with orchestra" aspect of the upcoming concert with a satisfied smile.
"I've wanted to play with an orchestra ever since I was a kid. There is an immediacy, a richness of sound that can't be duplicated. With real violins playing - the subtle changes in tone caused by the vibrations of the bow - real brass trumpets blasting and kettle drums pounding at you - it just can't be captured on a synthesizer."
Arkenstone is distinguished by his mastery of many instruments, including the piano, guitar, bass, flute, pan flute, accordion and mandolin.
Combining his unique new age-rock-pop-impressionist sound with the fullness of the orchestra will attract a younger audience, he hopes.
College classes that taught him how to arrange harmonies paid off when he had to prepare the music for the Utah Symphony. "This is an exciting, educational first step into a larger world. I would love to travel the world and perform with various orchestras.
"Once you've heard your music played by real, live musicians it's hard to be satisfied with the synthesizer."
The orchestra's willingness to perform with him shows that Utahns - like his fans across the country - may believe: This guy's going to be around for a long time, said Arkenstone, who is consistently ranked among Billboard's Top 10 and was nominated for a 1991 Grammy.
"I think I can finally tell my wife that I've got a career in music."