Dominika Dorincova

What does music mean to you personally?

Music means really a lot to me. I can't imagine my life without her. Music is for me the way how to express my feelings, emotions, opinions, thoughts and "say" things that is impossible to say. Music was always there for me when I needed it most. Music is my best friend. She is with me when I feel happy but also sad. It is best medicine for wounds and heals heart and soul. And thanks to music I have met amazing people in my life. Music connects people and that is one of her the biggest gifts.

Do you agree that music is all about fantasy?

Yes I agree that music is about fantasy. I think that fantasy and imagination are very needed when you compose music. Unfortunately, some composers are often limited by their knowledge or rules of composing music. Sometimes, however, it is better to trust your imagination and heart. It will lead us on the right path I think that each composer has his own fantasy, his own world and thanks to that he/she can create unique and original music that can touch hearts of many people in the whole world.

If you were not a professional musician, what would you have been?

This is a difficult question, because from an early age my whole life revolved only around music. But when I was little I wanted to be a pop singer, then e.g. postwoman. Later, when I was about 8 years old, I became fascinated by dinosaurs. And suddenly I had 2 passions - music and paleontology. I had a bunch of toys and books about dinosaurs. I really adored them. But finally a few years later, the music won and I chose the piano. But dinosaurs still belong between my passions and beautiful memories of my childhood.

The classical music audience is getting old, are you worried about the future?

I’m not worried about my future and I'm not worried about the future of classical music either. I think that classical music had and always will have its supporters and fans. It has been here for several centuries and I don't think we have to worry about its demise. Our generation has the advantage that in addition to buying CDs or LPs and going to concerts of our favourite composers, musicians or performers, we can now listen to music on streaming platforms. Thanks to them, we can discover new music, often also young but talented composers, who may eventually manage to establish themselves in the world of music. I study music at the conservatory and I often go to concerts of well-known and lesser-known musicians and I can say that they are almost always sold out. Classical music can appeal to different audiences, young and old. And nowadays, classical music also has several subgenres such as minimal music, new age or film music. Each listener chooses what he likes best. But one thing is certain: good and quality music will survive. And even if it seems that it will not, in time someone will surely rediscover it (similarly as it was with the work of Johann Sebastian Bach).

What do you envision the role of music to be in the 21st century? Do you see that there is a transformation of this role?

I don't think the role of music and its importance to humans has changed. It is still an essential part of our lives. This also applies to the 21st century. I would say that there are two types of composers - those who are trying to discover new means, new compositional techniques, something that has not been here in history. And those who use old, centuries-proven forms and adapt them to the present. Therefore, we would also find certain signs of romanticism, impressionism or classicism in contemporary modern music, new age or film music. If we talk purely about classical music, unfortunately nowadays it often happens that contemporary composers try to invent something new at the expense of the aesthetics of music. This is a shame, because sometimes less is more. I think that an uncomplicated song with a simple solid melody will be appreciated by people more than a sequence of some random tones. Because music is not just about math but also about emotions. And it is emotion that is sometimes lacking in the music of contemporary classical composers.

Do you think that the musician today needs to be more creative? What is the role of creativity in the musical process for you?

I think we need to be more creative in a way these days. Countless compositions have been composed over the centuries and new ones are still being created. It is getting harder and harder to attract the listener. Every composer tries to be something original. And the competition is great. On the one hand, there are composers verified by times like Bach, Beethoven, Tchaikovsky, whom people listen to about 200 years. On the other hand, there is the 21st century - the world of technology - the Internet. Nowadays, mainly thanks to the Internet, we as listeners have the opportunity to access a large amount of new music, and as contemporary composers we have the opportunity to spread our music more easily. But captivating the listener is all the more difficult because the competition is getting bigger. Creativity is very important in my creative process. For me, creativity is closely linked to inspiration. When something strongly inspires me (eg a life event, love, sadness, a film, a story or a walk in nature) and when I feel that it is a good musical motif or theme, then I engage my compositional skills and work with the material in different ways. Because, among other things, the inspiration also give me a certain emotion that I try to work with and which I try to convey to the listener with the help of music. Because I think that music should also have a message, something that the composer wants to convey to the listener.

Do you think we as musicians can do something to attract the younger generation to music concerts? How would you do this?

I think each of us has to find our own way to classical music. However, I must admit that there are many opportunities to get acquainted with classical music. If a young person comes from a musical family, he has a good background to cultivate a positive attitude towards classical music. Another option is animated fairy tales like Tom and Jerry or a beautiful fairy tale "Three musketeers" from Disney, where well-known melodies from classical instrumental music or favourite arias from operas, which were set in the story of the story, were heard. I think that e.g. "The nutcracker "or "Swan lake" by Tchaikovsky is known to many little girls thanks to fairy tales about Barbie. Another option how to get close to classical music is to visit concerts or theaters and experience classical music on your own. It is the best experience. When you hear a real orchestra for the first time, it is an unforgettable experience. Today, we can find a lot of classical music also on social networks such as Instagram, Facebook, YouTube or streaming platforms such as Spotify, Apple music, Deezer and many others. All you have to do is choose one of the many playlists of classical music and listen to its secrets.

Tell us about your creative process. What is your favorite piece (written by you) and how did you start working on it?

My creative process is different from the song but also the genre I compose. When I compose a composition in the style of new age or minimal music, then inspiration plays a crucial role. Sometimes inspiration needs more time, so I let it go. If I can come up with a beautiful melody that hides a strong emotion, then I will start working with it and developing it. I think even simple music can be beautiful. I often come across the opinion that contemporary modern music is only 4 chords and nothing more. It's sad that some people look at it this way. There is beauty in simplicity, and emotion is paramount in this style of music. If it leaves any feelings in people, then we can consider the composition a success. I compose classical music in a similar way, but there is only one difference. When I compose classical music, I focus more on certain components of music - especially harmony, rhythm and form. At new age, I focus more on melody. In classical music, as a composer, I can afford more. I also like all my compositions because they capture many important emotions and moments of my life. But if I have to choose one, then the composition "New Day". "New Day" came about very spontaneously. I played the piano and the inspiration came. Suddenly a melody was born and somehow it worked. Hidden in this composition is the hope for a better tomorrow and the belief that each new day brings with it a new chance to change something, new possibilities and a great hope that we will overcome everything bad. The first day I managed to compose about half of the song. I played it to my mom and she was very excited about it. It was a signal to me that I had to finish this song so that others could listen to it, to whom it could improve the mood and maybe give a piece of hope. I finished the whole composition in about 3-4 days. And a few months later I reworked it into the final version, which can also be found on my debut piano CD "Forever in my Heart". I decided to dedicate the composition "New Day" to my dear mum, who always supported me in music.

Can you give some advice for young people who want to discover classical music for themselves?

If young people are interested in music and want to improve and get to know it better, they should definitely start with classical music. Classical music is the basis for all other genres. Classical music will teach us to perceive music correctly and also provide us with good piano technique thanks to honest practice. Maybe some will later switch to other genres such as jazz, minimal music or new age, but everything is based on classical music. Proof of this are the compositions of great Maesters such as Johann Sebastian Bach, Ludwig van Beethoven or Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.

Do you think about the audience when composing?

Sometimes yes. Especially when I finish a new composition. I imagine how the listeners will react to it. However, it is important for me that my music is honest. Today, many composers compose compositions in the way the audience wants. They compose mainly because of fame and what is the current trend. For me, the music I compose must be authentic. I compose mainly to get my emotions out of myself, and the piano is the best means for me. If my listeners also appreciate it, I am very happy.

What projects are coming up? Do you experiment in your projects?

I'm working on new music! And this time it won't be just for piano solo. But let yourself be surprised. Now, however, I am trying to present my debut piano album "Forever in my Heart", which was released in November last year. Due to the bad pandemic situation, it was not possible to perform at the concerts. Now I'm planning concerts where my listeners and fans will be able to listen to the album "Forever in my Heart" live.