Polina Nazaykinskaya: Symphony for Strings

Posted on April 26, 2024

In my new Symphony for Strings, commissioned by the Portland Youth Philharmonic, I aim to combine the classical symphonic tradition with elements of post-minimalism and a neo-romantic sensibility. The four-movement composition takes the audience on a profound journey of self-discovery, akin to a coming-of-age narrative. In this Symphony, the audience is invited from the very outset to embark on a voyage of self-reflection.

The Symphony delves into a complex interplay between our outer world, the society we navigate, and the inner world, the realm of our thoughts and emotions. It explores the inherent dissonance that often arises between these two realms and the subsequent conflict that emerges.

The struggle to reconcile the introverted nature of one’s inner world with the demands of the extroverted reality is a central theme, mirroring the universal experience of growing up and fully realizing one’s potential. This inner turmoil finds expression in the Symphony’s contrapuntal texture, where thematic elements intertwine, creating an emotional juxtaposition that mirrors the internal conflicts we all grapple with.

Written by Polina Nazaykinskaya, 2023