Collaborative Composition

Writing music together with non-musicians helps me to unearth a vast spring of creativity that usually goes untapped.  Everyone has stories to tell, though not everyone has the training to turn these stories into song.  I am delighted to help people express and share their deepest feelings through music.

So far, I have been most interested in composing with refugees, veterans, and elders.  I am also open to working with people outside these demographics.  To collaborate with me on new work, send your proposals to:

booking@grishakrivchenia.com

 

Grisha’s TED talk on composing with elders at the end of their lives:

 

The Long Winter (2015)

Collaboratively composed work. Words and music by Lillian Siegel and Grisha Krivchenia.

Lillian Siegel (b. 1913) moves in with her daughter after years of living independently. Her doctor does not expect her to survive for more than a few months. Lillian grapples with her mortality and waning strength, while also finding comfort and beauty in her last moments.

In lieu of a traditional jazz solo, this song quotes a posthumous Chopin Nocturne.

Musicians on the track are:

Alysha Shaw – lead vocalist
Vanessa Torres – backup vocals
Elle Knowlton – backup vocals
Grisha Krivchenia – piano and keyboards
Paul Brown – upright bass
Will Dyar – percussion