+++
author = ["authors/jenna.md"]
categories = "Interview"
date = "2017-05-29T10:28:00-04:00"
lastmod = "2017-05-29T12:15:00-04:00"
preamble = "Born in St. Petersburg, Toronto-based [Ivan Barbotin](/scene/people/ivan-barbotin/) has taken a long and winding road to his life as a full-time composer. As a teen, he was a guitarist in rock bands (Sphinx, Forum) in Russia, and upon his move to Canada, he focused on linguistics and spent time as a video editor. Now, [Barbotin writes](http://www.barbotin.com/projects.html) film and TV scores (*Cosmic Vistas*, *The Mountie*) ballet scores (*The Velveteen Rabbit*), chamber and orchestral music, and of course, operatic works (*Oubliette*, *The Fetishist*, *What Rhymes with Azimuth*).\n\nBarbotin chats about his \"melodist\" aesthetic, and why he doesn't quite believe in inspiration."
primary_image = "https://res.cloudinary.com/schmopera/image/upload/v1545409169/media/webhook-uploads/1496068225716/2017-05-29---Ivan-Barbotin.jpg.jpg"
primary_image_credit = "Photo: Ray Allen."
publishDate = "2017-05-29T11:46:00-04:00"
related_articles = ["articles/talking-with-composers-aaron-gervais.md","articles/dean-burry-on-the-highwayman.md","articles/talking-with-composers-chris-thornborrow.md","articles/talking-with-composers-omar-daniel.md"]
related_companies = ["scene/companies/tapestry-opera.md"]
related_people = ["scene/people/ivan-barbotin.md"]
short_description = "&quot;I don&#039;t really believe in inspiration. If what you are referring to by that word is a state of mind allowing for a free and easy flow of ideas, then I think it can be activated by simply sitting down and doing the work at hand. If at first nothing interesting comes to mind, I think the process itself eventually activates the neural circuitry required for being &#039;in the zone&#039;.&quot;"
slug = "talking-with-composers-ivan-barbotin"
title = "Talking with composers: Ivan Barbotin"
+++

## How would you describe your musical aesthetic? How have you heard it described by others?

I've heard myself described as a melodist. I do think that a naturally flowing tune should be at the heart of any compelling composition, especially when it comes to vocal music.

## How do you write music when you're not feeling particularly inspired (yet)?

I don't really believe in inspiration. If what you are referring to by that word is a state of mind allowing for a free and easy flow of ideas, then I think it can be activated by simply sitting down and doing the work at hand. If at first nothing interesting comes to mind, I think the process itself eventually activates the neural circuitry required for being "in the zone".

## How do you think the perception of being a working composer compares to the reality of the job?

I've had all kinds of reactions when introducing myself as a composer, from respect to curiosity to derision to boredom. In reality, it's just a very fun full-time job.

## Do you have a song/album/artist that you’d consider a guilty pleasure?

I like over-the-top, anthemic EDM. ATB and Kaskade would be good examples. 

## Out of your body of work, what are you most proud of, to date?

The most fun project so far was probably scoring for *Cosmic Vistas*, an astronomy TV series. I'm passionate about the subject and working on the series was a pure joy.

I'm currently working on a series of pop songs for a computer game. I started out in pop music and I'm really enjoying the chance to revisit the genre.
