PROGRAM NOTES
As We Were Gazing at the Stars (2025, 10’) Concerto for flute, piano, and chamber orchestra
Soloists: flute, piano
Orchestra: harp, percussion, strings
The fusion of folk, jazz, and classical music has always interested me. While these genres are very different, when brought into collaboration they complement each other in the most exciting way. The idea of such a jazzy Belarusian concerto has occupied my mind for many years, until I finally made this dream a reality. Being Belarusian myself, folk music has been an essential element of my writing throughout my life, and it forms the foundation of this work. I based my work on elements of Belarusian folk music combined with a touch of jazz and classical expressiveness.
At the time of writing, I was deeply inspired by the playing of the exceptional musician, Belgian flutist Berten D’Hollander. Berten and I have performed together several times; it felt natural to write for our duo as soloists of the concerto. Berten’s versatility, openness to anything new, willingness to experiment and simply to play allowed me to be as free as I wanted. His exceptional musicality and virtuosity always astonish me.
I wanted the score to be lush, sharp, very romantic, and extremely sincere — reflecting all that real, profound human relationships are about. The presence of harp and shimmering percussion, such as campanelli and vibraphone, is meant to create a fairytale-like, star-tingling atmosphere, while the music evokes the breathtaking vastness of the universe, as if lying on the shore at night and looking at the stars.
“As We Were Gazing at the Stars” is a take on hope and love, and we are looking forward to its premiere in the 2026–27 season. When conductor Tom Snyder looked at my score, he said it reminded him of a Van Gogh painting. “Starry Night,” I guess!
We are so looking forward to premiering this work on November 22, 2026 with the Providence Chamber Orchestra in Pennsylvania with Berten D’Hollander and myself as soloists under the baton of conductor Tom Snyder.
To listen to the MIDI Representation visit: Nina Siniakova. “As We Were Gazing at the Stars” for flute, piano, and chamber orchestra (2025).
The score is available for $39.99 at: As We Were Gazing at the Stars | ninasiniakova
For more information, please contact sinanina812@gmail.com. And, to explore more of Nina Siniakova’s music visit: Nina Siniakova, composer, pianist.