We spoke with composer Tatiana Lisovkaia at the New York Film Festival Premiere of “At Eternity’s Gate” on Friday evening.
The film, which was directed and co-written by Julian Schnabel, is a look at the life of painter Vincent van Gogh during the time he lived in Arles and Auvers-sur-Oise, France. The film hits theaters on November 16, 2018.
The Knockturnal: Tell us about your work on the film.
Tatiana Lisovkaia: I had a great opportunity to work with all these people that I would never even dreamed of in my life to work with. It’s a big deal. But it’s a very important film in the art world. So I really enjoyed so much being with Julian and Jon Kilik and with all these great people in the industry. I just had a great time.
The Knockturnal: What did you draw from when you were crafting the music?
Tatiana Lisovkaia: It’s my feelings. I play what I feel, it’s like a moment that’s captured. That’s it. Like Julian said, “The first thought is the best thought.” It comes from your feeling, your emotion, your desire for life, and to create something that you never heard. I like to make something that doesn’t relate to any other things, it should be different. I hope people like it and enjoy it. I really hope the best for the film and everybody in it.
The Knockturnal: How did you get your start in composing music?
Tatiana Lisovkaia: I composed music since I was little girl … starting with improvisation, but I went to music school and I studied with different teachers in music through my years, here, and in Ukraine and in Moscow. I always went back to music and always studied. But it was hard to make a living, it’s not easy, you know? And I think it’s nice that there’s a whole industry for film music. Composers get more recognition than before. I think it’s a great opportunity for people in the music industry in general to make this transition for anybody who studies music right now in school or college.
The Knockturnal: And how many instruments do you play?
Tatiana Lisovkaia: I play piano and violin and I play a little bit of drums, but violin was my major area of study.
The Knockturnal: What’s coming up next for you?
Tatiana Lisovkaia: I hope I can do more projects and I hope to work more with films or any other music projects. I would love to do more.
The Knockturnal: I feel like we don’t see many female composers, so it’s exciting to talk to you. Can you speak about that?
Tatiana Lisovkaia: There are not a lot of females in this field. It’s true. I don’t know what’s the reason for it, but it’s nice to have females.
