We are excited to continue our collaboration with the New York Women Composers (NYWC). This month, we present a piece by Nina Siniakova.

Bio

Composer Nina Siniakova is known for her vivid orchestral colors, emotional range, and lyricism. With a diverse cultural background and a fascination with themes of beauty, love, and mortality, her music has been performed internationally—from Carnegie Hall and Symphony Space in New York to leading stages across Eastern and Northern Europe.

Siniakova works closely with a wide range of artists, including Belgian flutist Berten D’Hollander, opera star Oksana Volkova, and ensembles such as Orchestra 2001 and the Belarus Philharmonic. Her compositions span from intimate solo works to full orchestral pieces, often blending formal clarity with moments of expressive freedom. She continues to explore bold, imaginative soundscapes that reflect both personal narrative and universal themes and is published by the American Composers’ Alliance.

Featured Work: Arrows for three cellos and double bass

COMPOSITION DETAILS

• Title: Arrows
• Composer: Nina Siniakova
• Year of Composition: 2017, commissioned by Ron Wasserman and New York JazzHarmonic
• Instrumentation: three cellos and a double bass
• Movements: 1
• Duration of Work: 6 min 15 sec
• Number of Measures: 100
• Number of pages: 11
• Tempo: Vivid moderato
• Difficulty Level: professional
• Highest Position Reached: thumb
• Techniques Employed: wide range of playing techniques, from regular bowing and  pizzicato to glissandi playing with “a lot of pressure” making a “scratching sound”
• Publisher: Self-published
• Where to Purchase the Score: www.ninasiniakova.com
• Cost of Score*: $26.99 ( score and parts)

Recording

Program Notes

“In  2017, I was asked by Ron Wasserman, principal bassist of New York City Ballet, to compose a piece for his collective, New York JazzHarmonic. I had full freedom of style and was offered one of the most exciting set of instruments, three cellos and a double bass. Even these days, eight years later, I still find this ensemble extremely interesting, full of unlimited possibilities.

While making sketches for the piece, I had an image of a rollercoaster. Tension, drop down, feel of zero gravity, climbing up, and drop down again. “Rollercoaster” was a bit of a peculiar title to give to a piece, so the image of arrows was the closest to the dynamic of motion and drama I was trying to express. When thrown, arrows have the same type of tension.

The piece is perfect for performers who dare and look forward for exploration. It is featured on my chamber music album “Frozen Reflections”. Several of my close colleagues-composers believe “Arrows” is the best piece on the album.

When I appeared at the rehearsal for the piece at Thalia lounge of the Symphony Space in New York City, all dressed up, in fancy clothes and heels, Ron said to his colleagues-performers: ” this is the composer of our most difficult piece”. I hope the arrows of my charm saved the situation- I was so happy to hear this fantastic ensemble playing my new work!” – Nina Siniakova

A Collaboration with the New York Women Composers (NYWC)

The NYWC series at the Cello Museum was created to showcase its members who have composed various pieces for cello, informing cellists seeking new music to add to their repertoire, and helping listeners find new favorites. Many thanks to the NYWC for this wonderful collaboration.

Read other installments in the series here.

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*Prices are accurate at the time of article publication, but the Cello Museum cannot take responsibility for subsequent price changes.