Exclusive Interview with EDVARD KRAVCHUK

Ukrainian pianist and composer Edvard Kravchuk. He composed academic classical music while pursuing his composition studies at the National Music Academy of Ukraine. He releases the two motion picture albums Time For Action and Sotto Voce in 2018.

On April 24, 2023, pianist and composer Edvard Kravchuk of Ukraine released his most recent album, “pianissimo”. On Spotify, it receives about 1.5 million monthly listeners. There are 14 tracks on the album of mellow, soothing piano music with Ukrainian influences, including the anthem of that country and a song written by Volodymyr Ivasyuk. Check out the exclusive interview below:

1. Can you tell us a bit about where you come from and how it all got started?

EDVARD KRAVCHUK: I was born in Ukraine, in the city of Ivano-Frankivsk, and from childhood I was involved in music. I learned to play the violin and later the piano. I graduated from music school and college on the violin. Then I entered the National Music Academy in the composition department. I wrote symphonic orchestral music, sonatas, and various other works, but I always loved the piano and wrote music for solo piano

2. Tell me about your studies at the music academy and how it has impacted you.

EDVARD KRAVCHUK: I received a professional music education and have a Master’s degree in music. I studied under Professor Hanna Havrylets, a highly respected composer in Ukraine. My academic music is played both in Ukraine and around the world. Studying at the conservatory was sometimes interesting, and sometimes monotonous, so I skipped most of the lectures. I paid more attention to classes on orchestration, mixing, and electronic music, which have been very useful to me in my later life.

3. Who were your first and strongest musical influences ?

EDVARD KRAVCHUK: I really enjoy Mahler’s symphonies; I listen to them constantly and always find something new in them. His music is genius, and each of his symphonies is a masterpiece. Among contemporary composers, Ólafur Arnalds has had a strong influence on me. Discovering his music was a revelation, and I am very passionate about it.

4. What do you feel are the key elements in your music that should resonate with listeners, and how would you personally describe your sound?

EDVARD KRAVCHUK: I want the listener to immerse themselves in the sound of the piano and feel every nuance, which is why we use microphones that are very close to the strings during the recording process. These are intimate melodies that play on the strings of my soul and the soul of my listener. I enjoy this resonance between us

5. Could you describe your creative processes? How do usually start, and go about shaping ideas into a completed song? Do you usually start with a tune, or a narrative in your head?

EDVARD KRAVCHUK: My creative process is usually spontaneous. I sit down at the piano and start playing, improvising, and at some point an interesting idea may come up… or I can spend the whole day and not write anything. I come to the studio every day after lunch and work until midnight. I like working at night, there is some special magic to it.

6. What has been the most difficult thing you’ve had to endure in your life or music career so far?

EDVARD KRAVCHUK: The war in Ukraine and moving to another country… It’s very difficult to leave your life there and start anew in a new place. The war caught me in Ukraine on February 24th at 4:30 am, and this day changed my life and the lives of all Ukrainians. This day will never be forgotten. I wrote my album “pianissimo” in 2022 under the whistling of rockets and the sounds of the air raid siren. For a composer, this was a very stressful experience…but in my album, I put all the emotions I felt during that period. I hope that my music can bring some measure of solace and comfort to those who have endured the hardships of war and conflict.

7. What’s your view on the role and function of music as political, cultural, spiritual, and/or social vehicles – and do you try and affront any of these themes in your work, or are you purely interested in music as an expression of technical artistry, personal narrative, and entertainment?

EDVARD KRAVCHUK:

I believe that music can serve as a powerful vehicle for political, cultural, spiritual, and social messages. As a composer, I feel a responsibility to use my music to address important issues and contribute to meaningful conversations. That being said, my work is primarily driven by my personal narrative and artistic expression, and I see music as a form of entertainment as well. However, I do incorporate elements of social and cultural commentary into my compositions, as I believe it’s important to engage with the world around us and create music that reflects our experiences and perspectives. For example, in each of my albums, there are always a few songs based on Ukrainian folk melodies or motifs. ( “My only one”, “Anthem of Ukraine”, “Car is sleeping”) I really enjoy them because these are the songs I grew up with and this is how I represent my country on the international stage.

8. Do you feel that your music is giving you back just as much fulfillment as the amount of work you are putting into it or are you expecting something more, or different in the future?

EDVARD KRAVCHUK:

My biggest motivation is when my music and work yield positive results. When listeners write to me on Instagram, use my music, download sheet music, and share their own videos. It’s a strong motivation for me, and it shows me that I am moving in the right direction.

9. Creative work in a studio or home environment, or interaction with a live audience? Which of these two options excites you most, and why?

EDVARD KRAVCHUK: My preferred working environment is my own studio in silence. It’s a kind of meditation for me. I do have plans for live performances, but most of my time is dedicated to composing and working on music.

10. On the contrary, what would you consider a successful, proud or significant point in your life or music career so far?

EDVARD KRAVCHUK: This was the moment when my song “Look up to the sky” made it into the biggest editorial playlist “Peaceful Piano” on Spotify. This changed my life and gave me the motivation to continue writing music and sharing it with the world. Before this moment, I had already released 2 music albums, but they didn’t have much success. And after this, my career started to go up. I’m very grateful to Spotify for their support of young unsigned artists.