Evgeny Petrash

Film Composer and character animator for TV-series, computer games

Russia

Author

About

Was born in Blagoveschensk (Russia, Far East). Started musical education in 13 years old, taking piano lessons and music theory in music school. Later had mostly self-taught education. In 2018 graduated Moscow Film School as film composer. Also have engineering diploma, studied computer graphics and neigboring subjects. Worked as character animator for TV-series, computer games.

Sheets

Interview

What does music mean to you personally?

It’s a big part of my life. May be, it’s opinion to make some beauty and bring it to people. May be, it means to be useful. To be somebody in this world.

Do you agree that music is all about fantasy?

I think it’s not. Music is largely engineering process, and there are many tricks and tips to make music looking reasonably. But music made without fantasy is not interesting for me (and for other people, I hope), even it’s technically perfect.

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

I’m engineer for my first diploma, and I studied computer graphics, illustration, animation and other neighboring subjects later. Also I’m interested in cinematography, that’s why my musical specialization is named «Film Scoring».

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

I don’t think so. Visiting different concerts in Moscow, listening symphonic orchestra, organ, piano, vocals, chamber ensembles, classical music and avant-garde I always seen many young people in the hall. And, of course, classical traditions is in demand for cinema very much.

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?

It’s very difficult to answer this question... Of course it’s happening. I think, it demands on technical progress more than another aspects. When vinyl appeared, music compositions became shorter and more concentrated in expression, songs became a general genre, industry changed... Now we have cloud technologies, hence people have unlimited access to any musical genre and style they prefer, at any time they want. I think it means the music will become more differentiated, the audience will consist of different communities. And a number of musical icons, recognized by all the people will decrease... Or not)

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

Musician must be always creative. How else? Another thing is that giant part of contemporary music is more sound design then music... Especially in cinema. But it needs not less creativity, in some other aspects.

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

Less pathos, I think) And more naturalness. We must do what we love and enjoy it by ourselves. And go to social networks. And more humour)

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

Really, I love songs. My favourite music is written in 1960-1980-s, mostly by Russian composers, mostly for cinema and basically it was songs. Song is the foundation of Russian film music (rather in that time). So, many of music I have written is just melodies for supposed songs and it lies in a drawer waiting for best times. And my favourite music written by me is one of it, i think. I can say, it isn’t written yet.

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

Start listening it from Beethoven. I started from him.

Do you think about the audience when composing?

Honestly, no. I hope that my taste in music matches most. I think that I’m an ordinary man (not spoiled by the conservatory, as somebody say), so I write music for my own pleasure, and it works.

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

I graduated Moscow Film School a month ago, and now I’m looking for a jobs. I hope it will be soon and interesting... And because of fact that I’m not a musician with classical career path, all my musical composing is a big experiment.