Blending contemporary classical music with jazz improvisations, the Ukrainian composer and pianist, Vadim Neselovskyi, talks to us about his new album Perseverantia.
It is an eleven-movement suite for piano and string trio inspired by the resilience and “perseverance” found in war and in human effort and struggle. We also explore the origins of this beautiful project, discuss the relationship between composition and improvisation in the piece, and reflect on the important role that music and art play in times of crisis.
In this interview, acclaimed composer and pianist Vadim Neselovskyi discusses his latest album, Perseverantia, a deeply personal and expressive work that explores resilience, memory, hope, and artistic perseverance through music. Throughout the conversation, he reflects on the creative process behind the album, the emotions and experiences that shaped its composition, and the musical influences that inspired this new work. Neselovskyi also shares insights into his artistic journey, the importance of storytelling through sound, and the ideas he hopes listeners will connect with while experiencing the album. Thoughtful and intimate, this interview offers a closer look into the mind of an artist whose music continues to bridge emotion, history, and innovation.
Movements of Perseverantia
1. Dancing As If Nothing Ever Happened
Instrumentation: piano with full string trio; piano often drives the rhythm while strings add counterlines and harmonic texture.
Type of music: rhythmic contemporary chamber jazz with classical influences.
Summary:
The opening movement captures the surreal feeling of continuing everyday life while crisis looms nearby. The energetic motion suggests normality, but subtle harmonic tension hints that something beneath the surface is unstable.
2. Choral
Instrumentation: strings often carry sustained chordal textures while the piano plays sparse melodic lines.
Type of music: contemplative contemporary classical/chorale-inspired writing.
Summary:
A meditative movement inspired by the solemn atmosphere of Eastern European sacred choral traditions. The music creates a sense of reflection and stillness within the larger dramatic arc of the suite. “It’s very atonal and highly contemporary, with the entire string section creating a sustained pedal point underneath.”
3. Lviv Funeral
Instrumentation: expressive string writing with piano supporting the harmony and emotional intensity.
Type of music: lament/elegy in contemporary chamber style.
Summary:
A deeply mournful piece evoking the atmosphere of funerals and memorial ceremonies. The movement reflects collective grief and remembrance during wartime. “The piano plays a melody accompanied by highly rhythmic chords.”
4. Perseverantia
Instrumentation: balanced interaction between piano and strings, often with repeating figures and layered textures.
Type of music: contemporary chamber music with minimalistic and jazz elements.
Summary:
The title movement represents resilience and endurance. Through repetition and gradual musical development, the piece symbolizes persistence and strength in the face of adversity. “The piano opens with a rhythmic ostinato in the left hand while the right hand plays contrapuntal melodies. The strings gradually enter, echoing the piano’s melody. It’s very minimalist—the whole piece grows from that initial rhythmic pattern, which acts as an ostinato and pedal point throughout the cue.”
5. After 24
Instrumentation: dramatic ensemble writing with sharp contrasts between piano and strings.
Type of music: programmatic contemporary chamber music.
Summary:
This movement refers to February 24, 2022, when the full-scale invasion of Ukraine began. The music conveys shock, chaos, and emotional upheaval through sudden changes in dynamics and texture. “Similar to Before 24”
6. Before 24
Instrumentation: lyrical piano melodies supported by gentle string harmonies.
Type of music: nostalgic chamber ballad with classical lyricism.
Summary:
A reflective look back at life before the war escalated. The music suggests calmness and memory, portraying a world that once felt stable and familiar. “A delicate, understated piano melody repeats throughout the passage, while the strings provide a homophonic texture underneath, gently supporting the piano without drawing attention away from it.”
7. Tanks Near Kyiv
Instrumentation: aggressive rhythmic piano figures with tense, sharp string articulations.
Type of music: dramatic programmatic chamber music with strong rhythmic drive.
Summary:
One of the most intense movements in the suite. The music evokes urgency, danger, and fear as military forces approach the capital city. “The piece is more atonal, featuring a strong pedal point in the bass piano and lower strings. The upper strings gradually layer in with brief, incisive staccato figures, intensifying the texture and building suspense.”
8. March Passacaglia
Instrumentation: piano introduces or reinforces the repeating bass pattern while strings build layered textures above it.
Type of music: classical passacaglia combined with a march rhythm.
Summary:
Built on a repeating bass pattern, the piece creates a sense of inevitability and persistence. The march-like rhythm reinforces the theme of determination and endurance. “Pizzicato strings establish the texture while the piano introduces a soft, subtle melody. The strings then gradually join with a homophonic accompaniment in the background, gently supporting the piano line.”
9. I Don’t Need a Ride
Instrumentation: lighter interaction between piano and strings, sometimes more playful or conversational.
Type of music: chamber jazz with elements of humor and irony.
Summary:
This movement reflects moments of personal courage and independence during crisis. The tone is more defiant and ironic, emphasizing dignity and self-reliance. “A rhythmic pizzicato figure in the strings establishes the texture, repeating throughout the passage. The piano is then added, reinforcing the rhythmic framework. Later, the violin enters with contrasting melodic lines, giving the cue a more contemporary character.”
10. Orwell
Instrumentation: tense ensemble textures with fragmented melodies and subtle dissonance.
Type of music: avant-garde contemporary chamber music.
Summary:
Named after George Orwell, this movement reflects themes of propaganda, truth, and manipulation of reality. The unsettling atmosphere mirrors the confusion between truth and false narratives. “Soft strings establish an ostinato while the cello introduces a pizzicato pattern that gradually develops into a melodic motif. Toward the end, the texture becomes more chaotic as the piano enters, blending diatonic harmony with more contemporary elements.”
11. Refugees
Instrumentation: lyrical piano and emotional string lines that gradually dissolve into a quiet ending.
Type of music: elegiac contemporary chamber music.
Summary:
The final movement reflects displacement and human vulnerability during war. Its reflective and emotional tone brings the suite to a poignant, introspective conclusion. “A classically inspired structure led by a principal piano melody that develops and grows over time. The strings sustain long tones underneath, creating a pedal-like foundation and enriching the overall texture.”
vadimneselovskyi.com
Paula has collaborated with Spanish student film directors, composing original music for short film projects and developing scores tailored to narrative structure and emotional arcs. Through this work, she has gained experience in thematic development, synchronization to picture, and crafting cohesive musical identities that support visual storytelling.
In addition to her film work, Paula has composed music for advertising projects, creating atmospheric pieces designed to enhance brand storytelling. She is also a singer-songwriter, with original music ranging from electronic and house productions to more intimate, R&B-inspired styles influenced by artists such as Alicia Keys.
Blending classical training with modern sensibilities, Paula is committed to developing a distinctive voice in film scoring that combines orchestral depth with contemporary expression.
