A creative symbiosis that has lasted since childhood

Violinist Kiril Trusov and a pianist Aleksandra Trusova, brother and sister who have been building an international concert career together for years, will hold a concert tomorrow, July 16, at the Church of the Holy Spirit, symbolically titled "Creative Symbiosis". The audience will have the opportunity to hear artists who perform on the world's most prestigious stages and festivals, building a unique artistic dialogue based on family closeness, mutual trust and top-notch musicianship. During their stay at the festival, Kiril Trusov will also hold a master class for young violinists within the KotorArt Academy.

Their international careers have been marked by performances with leading orchestras, conductors and chamber partners, numerous awards and recognitions, as well as notable discographic releases. However, it is precisely playing music together that holds a special place in their artistic life. In an interview with Vijesti, they talk about the special dynamics of playing music together, the trust they have built since childhood, the experiences that have shaped their careers, working with young musicians and the values ​​that make them believe that classical music remains timeless.

The title of your concert at KotorArt is “Creative Symbiosis.” How is this creative symbiosis between brother and sister reflected in your joint music making and how does it differ from other musical partnerships?

Kiril: As brother and sister, we have shared a unique bond since childhood. Being able to make music together is a great gift for us and we are both very grateful for it. We feel musically on stage, which allows us to spontaneously realize ideas right at the moment of performance. Of course, as brother and sister, during rehearsals we often have much more intense discussions than artists who meet for the first time at a festival. This is precisely why the entire artistic process becomes more intense and different from the usual musical collaboration.

Aleksandra: Of course, like brother and sister, rehearsals often involve much more intense discussions than between artists meeting for the first time at a festival.

You have been performing together for many years and are one of the few internationally recognized brother and sister duos. How important is mutual trust and understanding for your music making together?

Kiril: Growing up together and performing together since our earliest childhood has certainly had a great influence on our communication with each other. The mutual understanding, and especially the trust we have in each other when it comes to our work, artistic projects, but also the emotional understanding in our private lives, is truly something special. I must say that we are both very grateful for that special connection.

Aleksandra: Of course, we should not forget the mutual understanding and unconditional support we share in our private lives, regardless of the circumstances. That is something truly special and we are both grateful for that.

The concert program also includes Brahms's Sonata for Violin and Piano No. 3, which you recorded for the album "Paris Recital." What makes this work special in your repertoire?

Kiril: There are pieces of music that accompany you throughout your life as an artist. You perform them over and over again and discover them in a different way at different times in your life, because with age and experience, your perspective on life changes. This sonata has a special meaning for us. The “Paris Recital” was held during the pandemic as a concert that was broadcast live from a completely empty Louvre, from which, due to the circumstances at the time, everything had been relocated. There were only the two of us in the space and two members of the video crew. It was an extremely powerful and unforgettable experience.

Aleksandra: The “Paris Recital”, which included this sonata, was held during the pandemic and broadcast live from a completely empty Louvre. It was an extremely intense and unforgettable experience.

In addition to your intense concert career, you are also involved in pedagogical work, as well as running festivals and music academies. What do these roles bring to you and how do they influence your development as an artist?

Kiril: It is very important to me to support the younger generation and share my knowledge and experience as an artist. It is extremely fulfilling to watch the progress of young students and their joy at the opportunities they are given. Through my teaching engagement at the University of Music and Theatre Munich (HMTM), the establishment of numerous international academies, as well as through my own online teaching platform, I remain in constant contact with young musicians from all over the world. This constantly inspires me and allows me to stay up to date with new trends in music.

Aleksandra: Teaching is a very fulfilling process for me too and, of course, it influences me as an artist, because it is about mutual learning. I myself am constantly learning through teaching.

At a time when classical music is facing changes in the way it is listened to and experienced, what represents its enduring and universal value for you?

Kiril: The enduring and timeless value of music, no matter in what form we experience it, is that it is a universal language that connects people around the world. As artists, whether we perform live or through digital platforms, we touch the souls and hearts of our audiences. We provide them with moments in which they can experience their own emotions powerfully and authentically. And as musicians, we are grateful to be able to give audiences precisely those magical moments.

Aleksandra: Music always creates unforgettable moments. And as musicians, we are grateful to have the opportunity to share them with our audience.