While some critics believe that classical music has no real place in the modern world, this young musician is on a mission to change that misconception. In this piece, Ukrainian violinst Georgii Moroz dwells on his journey towards music, his passions, and the significance of music in today’s fragmented world. Let’s dive right in!
Could you briefly introduce yourself?
My name is Georgii Moroz, [and] I am a violinist from Ukraine currently based in Singapore.
What sort of music are you most passionate about? For instance, a particular style, theme, time period etc
Besides my endless love for a standard classical repertoire which includes Baroque, Classical and Romantic era music, I am very passionate about exploring contemporary classical music. This is a very niche and underrated music with the widest range of styles and genres.
Even though it is very unfortunate that historically this academic way of writing and making music has lost its audience close to almost century ago, I still believe that people with limited exposure to this art will find something from the contemporary repertoire that speaks to them.
Could you share how you decided to dedicate your time and efforts to music? What got you into music?
There was no particular event leading me into it; it was the music itself. From my early childhood I already enjoyed listening to any piece of music even before I started to play an instrument at age of 5 years old. After reaching a certain level of professionalism and training, I was not really questioning myself as at that point, I was seeing myself as a dedicated artist. But I believe not every person has to dedicate himself as much as professionals do, but the one indeed can try.
What is music to you?
Music for me is an abstract entity with a meaning that can be described differently. From classical performers’ point of view, music is another language. Classical repertoire is full of qualities that can deeply represent any emotional state without using any words. And when dealing with human emotions we are always looking into something that makes us feel and experience something beyond normal life, something that takes us away from reality. And it is of course an art.
For me music is an art form. But it doesn’t mean that this is the correct answer to the question “What is music?”. Some people only have time to appreciate music while working out or studying for example, so for them the music is a stimulator. For some production companies or producers, music helps them to make money, so for them it is an income. Not every person can appreciate art, so that is why the music as an art form is not for everyone.
What or who inspires you to continue making and/or playing music? Especially music that was popular in the past?
Classical musicians have a cult of greatest people. Every century we have great composers, conductors, performers, musicologists that we will never tire of looking towards and take inspiration from. Music itself further inspires me. I am playing the music because someone wrote a great piece, and I am composing music because someone great will perform and interpret it one day.
Have the events in Ukraine impacted your music or the way you approach making music? What is the impact of contemporary events on music?
The war in Ukraine changed the live of millions of my people and of course it had a big impact on my music making. Finally, Ukrainian music is heard and performed in many places around the world more than before, and finally I found my place on a cultural frontline as a performer. Almost every concert I am participating in includes Ukrainian music to the program. And I would highly recommend to go and listen to it, and support Ukrainian artists who are now having a difficult time.
In another vein, what do you think is the significance of music in today’s world?
The music is an abstract concept. The only objective definition sounds very detached from romanticized concept: “Music is sounds that are combined, ordered”. For me music becomes significant when those sounds organized in a way that aesthetically and professionally meets all the criteria to be an art form. For politicians it can be one of the best instruments of propaganda. But in the society where people eating, drinking, listening and watching rubbish every day they would never appreciate music as an art form. In such world the music will only speak to people on primal basic level, where more rhythmical and short compositions are dominating. This is the significance of music today and thousands years ag
What is one of the biggest difference between self-taught musicians and musicians with university degrees?
It is the access to the information.
Any advice for aspiring musicians out there?
Be open, explore new ways of making music, try as many genres and styles as you can, but do not forget to filter information. Be critical to others and to yourself, be conservative. Do not let people with a bad taste judge your musicality, and make sure that your play list sounds as good as the way the wallpaper on your device looks.
