On September 8 at 19.00, the Concert Hall “Latvija” will be visited by pianist and composer Vadim Neselovskyi, highly regarded in the world of music, who will present the concert program “Odesa: A Musical Walk Through a Legendary City” on the 470i piano created by Dāvids Kļaviņš.
The talented artist is called the most promising young improviser and genius who freely plays with the diversity of musical forms. American jazz vibraphonist, composer and teacher Gary Burton speaks clearly about Vadim: “I don’t think I’ve ever met an improviser with so many surprises in his arsenal…a true Genius.”
Vadim Neselovskyi was born in Odessa in 1977, when Ukraine was part of the Soviet Union. The Soviet Union collapsed in 1991, when the boy was 14 years old. The musical prodigy is the youngest student ever to enter the Odessa Conservatory (now the Odessa National Academy of Music) – Vadim was only 15 years old then. Initially, Neselovskyi was fascinated by the world of classical music, but soon he turned to jazz music. In 2019, Neselovskyi’s new manager mentioned that the pianist should find a way to tell the story of Odesa through music, because there is no one who knows how to do it better than him. This thought seemed tempting to the composer, and Neselovskyi began to consider the best solutions and methods of telling this story to the audience. It was important for Neselovskyi that the music creates an atmosphere that makes the listeners fully feel what he experienced in Odessa. The pianist was inspired by Modest Mussorgsky’s piano suite “Pictures at an Exhibition” when creating his concert programme. He decided to take the audience through Odessa as he sees and feels it – from the history he has studied, from his own memories and experiences, from his dreams of the city. The concert programme takes us to places typical of the city, such as Odessa Central Railway Station, Potemkin Stairs, Odessa Conservatoire, etc., and fully captures the buzz of life in this city.
Neselovskyi was reassured that the idea was being implemented correctly by his father, who was a true Odyssean with his characteristic demeanour, confidence and sense of humour. After listening to the final version of his son’s recording, he gave it his approval. This was shortly before his passing.
The young Vadim moved to Germany after his life in Odessa, and then continued his dizzying journey in the world of jazz music in America. Vadim’s mentor, the legendary vibraphonist Gerry Barton, became one of the biggest supporters of Neselovskyi’s original compositions. It was with his initiative that the composer’s works were recorded and performed with professionals such as guitarist Julian Lage (Julian Lage) and percussionist Antonio Sanchez (Antonio Sanchez), Recently, he has also turned to exploring his Jewish roots, recording a duet with American pianist Craig Taborn (John Zorn) in the recording studio “Tzadik label” in collaboration with saxophonist and composer John Zorn. (Craig Taborn). Neselovskyi has always maintained his ties with his homeland, however, performing regularly in Ukraine. Since the Russian invasion, it has been important for the pianist to draw public attention to the ongoing tragedy in his homeland. The concert programme “Odessa: A Musical Walk Through a Legendary City at the Concert Hall “Latvija” reminds us of Ukraine’s priceless beauty and its cultural heritage, in contrast to the prolonged devastating invasion of Ukraine by Russian troops.
The event is organised by SIA“Kurzemes filharmonija”, and funded by the European Regional Development Fund and the Ventspils State City Municipality. Tickets are available at the ticket sales network “Biļešu paradīze”, as well as at the box office of the Concert Hall “Latvija”.
The event is funded by the European Regional Development Fund and the municipality of the Ventspils State City. Tickets are available at the ticket sales network “Biļešu paradīze”, as well as at the box offices of the Theatre House “Jūras vārti” and the Concert Hall “Latvija”.
