This submission investigates the creative music-making process from its conception as an idea or musical image to its realisation in the form of a CD of the musical performance. The discussion is based on two recitals by the author in association with two different ensembles. The first recital was with the contemporary world music group Tatopani on November 24th 2005 at Sweet Basil in Tokyo, Japan. The second was with the Hiroko Takada Quartet on March 9th 2006 at the Elder Music Unit in the The University of Adelaide. It discusses the processes that led to the two recitals from three perspectives : first from the musical perspective of the group; second, from the author's perspective as an individual performer, with emphasis on the contrast between multi-instrumentalism and focusing on a single instrument ; and, third, from the practical and organizational perspective, with particular emphasis on the recording process itself. Examples from the author's recitals are used to demonstrate the discussion, and CDs of the complete recitals are integral to the submission. / Thesis (M. Mus.) -- University of Adelaide, Elder Conservatorium of Music, 2006.