Almost 7 years ago, Vladimir Malganov joined the musicians’ community of MusicaNeo and has been its active member ever since. Today we would like to tell you more about this talented musician and a very sincere and kind person. We asked Vladimir a couple of questions and are sharing his creative vision with you.
Vladimir Malganov – composer, arranger, guitar player, teacher. Major instrument – guitar. Born in Russia, lives and works in Belarus since 1990.
Vladimir, tell us where your creative journey started?
«It all began with learning to read sheet music which I did on my own at the age of 10, with the help of various guidebooks on guitar. The new world and language that were discovered back then are still bewildering me and inspiring for creating. The very first simplistic composition that I notated became the most notable milestone and a turning point. Unparalleled happiness»
The boldest move in the life of Vladimir was the change of profession: he switched from engineering to music. He says that it rather was a ‘providence, destiny and vocation altogether’. At an already ripe age he went for a university degree and graduated from Belarusian State University of Culture and Arts becoming a ‘teacher of classical guitar and bandleader’ by major (2012).
In what styles, genres and for what instruments are you composing? Who influenced your creative work?
«In my music works, I am trying to use as many various styles and genres as possible. There are compositions for various combinations of instruments, but the guitar is always an essential part.
As for the influences, those are hundreds, perhaps thousands of names both from the epochs of Renaissance and Baroque and from contemporary time. But first of all, it is Johann Sebastian Bach – an ultimate lighthouse for musicians of all styles and genres. At least this is what I believe. I’m in love with classical music and jazz»
Vladimir admits that in his music the Good always wins over the Evil without his being aware of it. He cites Love in all aspects of human life among the essential sources of inspiration, while his main creative principle is honesty. “If you are sly, who’s gonna believe you? It can relate to many things in life, and to art – especially”, says Vladimir.
Who do you consider to be your target audience, what kind of a listener? And what should the performer of your music take into account?
«I address people of all ages and various levels of musical expertise, both in concerts and, indirectly, via my compositions. Being a performer and author simultaneously, I possess the happiness of being able to do it. As a non-indifferent person myself, I would like to address involved and caring people as well, people with an open heart. As for the performer of my music, I would like him/her to be a musically-educated and intelligent person»
Vladimir is not vain, he is not purposefully looking for performers of his music, but he is trying to be visible and active in his sphere. His music mostly sounds in his native country but to the author’s joy, the geography keeps expanding from year to year, including through such resources as MusicaNeo.
The musical activity of Vladimir Malganov is closely connected with both writing music and performing in concerts. Recently he has been most actively performing in a duet with his friend, a laureate of numerous international competitions – Daryan Shakhab. The duet is solely performing the pieces composed by Vladimir: “It is rare luck for a composer-performer. We are trying to perform regularly in solo and mixed concerts. We’ve already recorded the album “Своя игра” (‘Own Play’) and are working on the second album. The new season is ahead and it promises to be very intense. But those are plans that should not be a goal in itself. God willing”.
"Summer Breeze". Duet "Own Play" (V. Malganov, D. Shakhab)
What’s a sign of quality for you, in a work of art/ music composition?
«Absolute completeness. To the extent that no one would want to add or remove anything. A very strong emotional component can also serve as a sign of perfection. Plagiarism and ‘creative diarrhea’ is what I consider to be totally unacceptable. In art, technical falsity is not advisable but sometimes explainable. But there’s nothing like that in life. One just can’t live falsely»
During his academic activity, Vladimir Malganov has taught thousands of young musicians to play guitar professionally. Some of them later became laureates at music competitions on republican and international levels; others went on to become educators and professional guitar players. As pedagogue, Vladimir thinks that the connection between generations must not be lost for a single moment and that one should daily pass the baton of knowledge and skill to the young generation: “Spirituality in broad sense should unite generations and peoples. Otherwise, we will not survive. That’s what I believe.” Thus, he names his wonderful family as his lifetime achievement and calls the rest just ‘a bonus for labor, love and patience’.
Share your recipe of success, if you have one.
«Humbleness»
What would you advise to yourself of 10 years ago?
«Going forward no matter what. Unhurriedly but steadily»
Share the happiest moment of your life.
«Not every human is lucky to taste the happiness in full. My happiness is perhaps yet to come»
What would you like to achieve within the next 10 years?
«I would like to live. Let God not deprive me of inspiration. And ‘plans’ is a category embracing a part of the future that’s unknown to everyone. I prefer living in the present and a little bit in the past»
Despite his self-restraint and circumspection in evaluations, Vladimir considers himself to be a big optimist. He is convinced that any art should bring positive energy, or rather ‘bring to a common positive denominator’, because real life is full of frustration anyway. And we can’t but agree with him.
Today, Vladimir’s personal website at MusicaNeo counts over 140 music scores. Among them – compositions for the youngest performers, sheet music for guitar duet, quartet, ensemble, solo pieces. Here one can also download music arrangements of popular compositions, various exercises and educational materials. The majority of the scores are available for free.
For our part, we would like to thank Vladimir for the longstanding cooperation and wish him inexhaustible inspiration, enthusiasm and creative success!