Nadin Polyakova - Matches

Nadin Polyakova, a talented composer from Kazakhstan, has an impressive background in both education and competitions. She graduated from the University of Arts in Kazakhstan in 2010 and has since garnered numerous awards. Her compositions have won international acclaim, including victories at prestigious competitions such as the "International Open Competition in Author's Music Video" in Moscow, and several in the USA like "Fifteen-Minutes-of-Fame," "Listening to Ladies," and "OnTime 2017." In recent years, Nadin won the "Altyn Art-2020" in Almaty. Her music is known for its deep emotional resonance and complex, layered structures.

Vid Homsak, a young Slovenian pianist and current PhD student in Particle Physics at the University of Oxford, has a rich performance history. He graduated with distinction from the Conservatoire for Music and Ballet in Maribor in 2017 and had further piano studies at the University for Music and Performing Arts in Graz. Vid has performed numerous piano concertos across Europe, including works by Haydn and Beethoven, and has won top awards in competitions like the International Piano Competition in Treviso. Despite his scientific career, his passion for music remains central to his life, blending technical brilliance with soulful expression in every performance.

For "Matches," I love how Nadin's classical influence shines through with such elegance, especially in the seamless build-up to the waltz in the latter part of the track. The melody is simply unforgettable—delicate yet powerful, lingering in the listener’s mind long after the piece has ended. The way Nadin blends traditional classical structures with a modern sensibility is nothing short of masterful. Vid’s performance elevates the composition even further, bringing out the subtle emotional nuances with remarkable sensitivity. His phrasing is impeccable, and his technical mastery never overshadows the soulfulness of the piece. Together, Nadin and Vid have created a collaboration that is both timeless and emotionally stirring, a testament to their exceptional artistry.

Kino Lee