In the past months, this blog has taken on a life of its own and started conversations about sharing work, gaining inspiration from the world, and staying connected to the network of musicians that we find inspirational - whether it is live, in person, or virtual. In the past week, Silkroad Ensemble also passed through Sydney on their recent international tour, performing at the opera house. Catching up with the group after the concert re-kindled the flame of excitement that originally sparked my wish to share stories of others making music in the world.
Elena Korableva, a cellist I met at the Global Musicians workshop 2018, the music she makes and her world was one I absolutely loved hearing about this week:
1. List a few words describing your mood and where you are writing this now.
It is a Friday evening in Boston. I am drinking a spiced chai and listening to Jordi Savall with my red tabby cat Rosco sleeping next to me. It is very windy outside which makes me feel cozy and warm in my room.
2. Describe your work.
I have spent my whole life passionately learning classical music but I always looked for new ways of expression and was delighted to discover a Global Musician Workshop organized by musicians of Yo-Yo- Ma’s Silk Road Ensemble. A mind opening week of improvising, playing with renowned musicians and exploring music of India, China, Turkey, South America. I am especially interested in folk music. I think that my resonance with this genre felt so natural because I come from a rich culture of Tatar People. My hometown Kazan, a beautiful city, located on Volga River is more than a thousand years old and rich in history and folk tales. Music is an important part of lives of Tatar people, it reflects their customs, history and national identity. Few years ago I started composing solo pieces for cello based on Tatar Folk songs. These pieces came from my heart during moments of nostalgia. My great- grandmother sang these songs to me when I was a little girl and I remember them very well. “Tugan Tel” (Dear Language), “Ai Bylbylym” (The Nightingale), “Bas Kyzym” (Dance girl, dance) and many more folk songs that I took as a foundation of my compositions.
3. Rant for a bit about your style, and describe the sound worlds you love to create.
I love exploring different sounds and I try to use all the possible cello techniques in my compositions. I use a lot of open strings, chords, double stops, harmonics, pizzicatos and chops and a full range of my instrument. Tatar music is based on a pentatonic scale and saturated with ornamentations. All of it is present in my compositions, there are also my original melodies that are born in the process. I like experimenting and I hope to compose for more instruments in the future, but for now solo cello perfectly reflects the feelings that come when I think about home.
4. What’s in a typical day?
I am a freelance musician so there are no days alike. I have fifteen students, gigs, and recitals. When I have a free morning, I try to devote it to practicing and composing. There are days when a gig takes up the entire day. I teach in the evenings when children come home from their schools. I also try to play chamber music and it can happen only when I have some free time. I really love the variety of work I do and that there is no routine. Keeps me alert and fresh. I am working on my time management though. It is not always great. There are so many things I want to do and learn, that sometimes I get overwhelmed. But I wouldn’t trade this life for any other.
5. Where could I find you practising/rehearsing and do you have a particular routine?