Interview “Nadia Kossinskaja: From Classical Guitar to World Tours – A Journey of Music, Passion, and Connection”

Interview with Nadia Kossinskaja: Bridging the Worlds of Classical and Electric Guitar

Interviewer: Welcome, Nadia Kossinskaja! Today, we’re here at Vollwertigen Fort with Caritas, and it’s no coincidence since you are a talented guitarist who tours solo and with artists like Sarah Brightman. We’re excited to have you on our show to discuss your journey in music. Could you tell us about your experience as a solo artist and how you ended up collaborating with other musicians?

Nadia Kossinskaja: Thank you for having me! I’ve always enjoyed playing solo, but I love collaborating with other musicians too. When you play with others, something completely new and unique can happen. I have a project with Jean-Jacques Kravetz, a pianist who performs with Udo Lindenberg and Peter Maffay. Last year, we performed together on a TV show in Hamburg, where Frank Peterson noticed me. He was looking for a guitarist for Sarah Brightman because their regular guitarist was unavailable. He needed someone who could play classical, acoustic, and electric guitar and sing, which fit my profile perfectly.

Interviewer: It’s quite rare to find a guitarist skilled in both classical and electric styles. How did you start? Was it with classical guitar?

Nadia: Yes, I come from a classical background and have been thoroughly trained in it. I’ve won several international competitions, and I’ve taught master classes in the USA, England, and Germany. However, over time, I found the classical world somewhat limiting. No matter where you perform, you often play the same pieces and see the same audiences. I became interested in exploring different sounds, including my voice. When playing guitar, the desire to sing naturally emerges, so I slowly moved away from purely classical music.

Interviewer: That’s an interesting transition. Many classical guitarists might look down on electric guitarists. Did you have any reservations about switching styles, or did you enjoy it from the start?

Nadia: I found it very exciting! I understand the attitude of some classical guitarists who might see electric guitar as less sophisticated. I used to perform at many classical guitar festivals, but now I sing almost every time I perform. I think it’s important to be true to oneself, and for me, if I only play without singing, I feel something is missing. I took a risk, and I am happy with my decision, even if it meant losing some of my classical audience.

Interviewer: It seems like the techniques for classical and electric guitar are quite different. How did you manage that transition?

Nadia: Absolutely, they are very different. I basically had to start from scratch. The way you hold and play each instrument is unique. With classical guitar, there is a lot of emphasis on technique and precision, while with electric guitar, there’s more freedom in how you approach the strings. I developed a unique style where I combine both plectrum and finger techniques, allowing me to create a richer sound. I also prepare the plectrum similarly to how I polish my fingernails, to ensure there’s no difference in sound quality.

Interviewer: How did the pandemic impact your life as an artist?

Nadia: Like many artists, it was challenging not being able to perform live. I actually contracted COVID-19 but was lucky to have very mild symptoms – just a loss of taste and smell for two weeks. During this period, I started composing a lot more and began working on an online guitar school to share my unique techniques and methods. https://bit.ly/4dF4fus

Interviewer: What drives your passion for music, and what do you hope to achieve through it?

Nadia: For me, music is all about creating a deep connection with the audience and helping them escape their daily lives, even if just for a moment. The best concerts are those where you can feel a genuine connection between the performer and the audience. I’ve received incredible feedback from people who felt deeply touched by my music, like a woman who wrote to me months after a concert, sharing that she had found love with someone she met during one of my performances. That is the most beautiful impact music can have – touching hearts and bringing people together.

Interviewer: Finally, do you have a preference between singing and playing the guitar?

Nadia: I truly love both equally. Our voice is the natural instrument of the body, and when you sing, you feel the whole body resonate. It’s an incredible feeling. But I also love the guitar because it is so close to the body, almost like embracing it. The sound of the guitar can convey so much emotion, and I’m happiest when I can combine both singing and playing.

Interviewer: Thank you, Nadia, for sharing your journey and insights with us. Your story is inspiring, and we wish you continued success. To our viewers, thank you for joining us today. Stay tuned for more conversations with creative minds in music and culture.

Nadia: Thank you! Music truly connects us all.