Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sxpKNJFDUm4
--
Someone once said that symphonic orchestra is the most sophisticated musical instrument humanity ever invented. And I always felt like this is an ultimate challenge for a composer to write music for such a giant. I started my first shy attempts to compose orchestral music a few years ago. Of course, at that time it was all done using digital libraries. I did dream that one day I may experience the thrill of hearing a live orchestra performing my compositions but that was truly an ephemeral dream, no actual plans to do it. Until now.

This summer my husband and I took a composing course (focusing on film composing). As a part of that course I had a homework: to compose a piece for a string orchestra. I chose the solo piano piece I wrote earlier this year as a foundation. It took a few evenings to come up with the orchestral arrangements - again, using digital libraries... at first! But then my husband said that he feels like this piece deserves to be recorded with live orchestra. And so it happened - two months ago we hired a session orchestra from Budapest. We only had half an hour session to record 2.5 minutes of this composition. Gosh, it was such an amazing experience! When I heard 40 musicians playing the harmony I burst in tears. Then I was shocked again to learn that my composition was nominated for Hollywood Music in Media Awards.

I called this piece "Distant Memories". It was written during one of the lockdowns when I was on the edge of breaking down. I devoted it to my mom, who lives on the other side of Atlantic but she used to come here every year.. until 2020.. and then 2021.. I hope we will see each other next year. But meanwhile all we have are those "distant memories".

The original piano solo version is coming next week!

"Distant Memories" (Orchestral) by Milana Zilnik

We are happy to announce the release of the second collaborative album with @stephan-beneking : "Petits rêves bizarres XIII-XXIV"!

The album is available for purchase both digitally and on CD:

http://milana.bandcamp.com/album/petits-reves-bizarres-xiii-xxiv
http://itunes.apple.com/album/petits-reves-bizarres-xiii/id695284812
http://www.amazon.com/Petits-Bizarres-XIII-Xxiv-Stephan-Beneking/dp/B00EUS6XSG
http://www.amazon.com/Petits-Reves-Bizarres-XIII-XXIV-Milana/dp/B00FFKCBH0

Both Stephan and me hope that you will enjoy the second album :)

Petit rêve bizarre XIII - Stephan Beneking and Milana - on iTUNES!

About a month ago I listened to and left some comments on this beautiful piece by Fivos Valachis: http://soundcloud.com/fivosvalachis/nocturnes-22-nov-promenades-en

Fivos asked if I can play it and I gave it a try. This is my interpretation of Fivos's original composition: first half I played it following the note sheet, second half I improvised on the same theme. 

Original composition by Fivos Valachis (http://soundcloud.com/fivosvalachis)
Photo by Pascal Durif (www.facebook.com/pascal.durif.9).

Promenades En Campagne - Fivos Valachis (composition), Milana (piano, impro)

This is the last uploaded piece from the second collaborative album with @Stephan-Beneking : "Petits rêves bizarres XIII-XXIV". We both hope you've enjoyed this "bizarre" journey :)

The full album with all 12 "Petits" is available for purchase both digitally and on CD:

http://milana.bandcamp.com/album/petits-reves-bizarres-xiii-xxiv 
http://itunes.apple.com/album/petits-reves-bizarres-xiii/id695284812 
http://www.amazon.com/Petits-Bizarres-XIII-Xxiv-Stephan-Beneking/dp/B00EUS6XSG 
http://www.amazon.com/Petits-Reves-Bizarres-XIII-XXIV-Milana/dp/B00FFKCBH0


Buy on iTunes

Petit rêve bizarre XXII - Stephan Beneking and Milana - on iTUNES!

A couple of weeks ago I saw this track on Carlo Presti's cloud that was open for collaboration:
https://soundcloud.com/spiderdrum/smooth-is-there-anybody-out
I thought it would be nice to add some piano to it when I saw that Michel Martineau also left a comment, saying that he wants to add some clarinet. I sent a message to Michel, asking him if he wants to work on some collaborative track, he agreed and this is the result. Enjoy :)

Drums by Carlo Presti (https://soundcloud.com/spiderdrum) over some backing track.
Clarinet by Michel Martineau (https://soundcloud.com/michel-martineau)
Piano by me.
Mixing by Arty (https://soundcloud.com/artyom-tchebotaryov)

CaMiMi Jazz - Carlo Presti (drums), Milana (Piano), Michel Martineau (Clarinet)

Follow me on SPOTIFY:  http://sptfy.com/93U
---
Some of you may think that it's too daring on my side to re-interpret this classical piece, but to me it is a pure sentimental thing, a tribute to two Masters... The first one is the author of the original, of course, I bet you have heard of him.. and his story... and another Master - my mom. She wasn't playing or singing herself, but she surely inspired my dad and me to keep playing no matter what. And I used to dare and hoped that she is listening and loves my playing and my daring. Every time I hear the original composition, I think of her.

Enjoy the free download!

Not Für Elise - Tribute to two Masters (read description) - by Milana

It's March already, I know :) But it was recorded on the last day of February, inspired by Ivan Ujevic's Elegy (https://soundcloud.com/milanazilnik/elegy-no3-by-ivan-ujevic-piano-by-milana) that I played earlier this year. 

I would also love to invite you to this kind of "challenge" :) 
http://www.facebook.com/events/229738850563261/

February Elegy

February Elegy - Milana - on iTunes!

Follow me on SPOTIFY:  http://sptfy.com/93U
---
After the unexpected success of "Not Fur Elise" (https://soundcloud.com/milanazilnik/not-fur-elise-tribute-milana) Arty asked me if I can play a set of "Not classical" improvisations. I am a huge fan of Chopin, no less than I am a fan of Beethoven. So, here is the next "not classical" piece. Enjoy :)

Not A Nocturne - Not Chopin

Not A Nocturne - Not Chopin - by Milana

Find me on Spotify: http://sptfy.com/93U
-------
This is the 5th track from my 2nd original piano album called "Accidental Etudes". I hope you enjoy this emotional track (and the album :) ). Btw, one of the motifs in this improvisation turned into this song eventually:
https://soundcloud.com/milanazilnik/feel-the-pain-milana

Thank you for your continuous appreciation of my music!

-------
iTunes: http://itunes.apple.com/album/accidental-etudes/id848461749
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Accidental-Etudes-Milana/dp/B00J8ZCOF2
BandCamp: http://milana.bandcamp.com/album/accidental-etudes

Feel My Pain

Feel My Pain - Milana - on iTunes & Spotify

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9bQvbjp60Es
www.milanazilnik.com/albums/metamorfosi

"DOWN THE RABBIT HOLE" - the 2nd single from “METAMORFOSI” is LIVE on streaming platforms! And we have a short lot of magnificently illustrated CDs as well!

This story is not about Alice. Although, we've all had Alice in our lives. As well as the Cheshire Cat, Mad Hatter, Queen of Hearts and Jabberwocky, in one form or another. This story is about you. This story is about me. 

When I hear different sounds in my head and then touch the piano, or the Hang, or sing it with my own voice - quite often I feel like falling down the rabbit hole into the world that only exists in the music itself, painted with the brush strokes of notes and in the silence between them.

“The rabbit-hole went straight on like a tunnel for some way, and then dipped suddenly down, so suddenly that Alice had not a moment to think about stopping herself before she found herself falling down a very deep well. ”

Many thanks to Vitaliy Tkachuk for the magical guitar, Yoed Nir for the magnificent cello, Craig Akin for the dramatic bass, Phil DiMercurio for the orchestral drums and percussion, Diana Lloyd for shaping my voice, Justin Gray for bringing it all home in one stunning mix, and Anastasia Frenkel for illustrating the story in such a wondrous way! And, of course, thanks to my husband, Arty Sandler, for believing in three crazy things before breakfast and making them real!

“Down, down, down. Would the fall never come to an end! I wonder how many miles I've fallen by this time?”

----
Composed by Milana Zilnik
Produced by Arty Sandler
Piano, vocals, Hang drums by Milana Zilnik (Canada)
Cello by Yoed Nir (Israel)
Electric and acoustic guitars by Vitaliy Tkachuk (Ukraine)
Drums and percussion by Phil DiMercurio (US)
Electric and upright bass by Craig Akin (US)
Flutes by Boris Khodorkovsky (Canada)
Mixed and mastered in stereo and in Dolby Atmos by Justin Gray (Canada)
Illustrated by Anastasia Frenkel (Canada)

Metamorfosi

Down The Rabbit Hole

"Down The Rabbit Hole" from "Metamorfosi" by Milana Zilnik

www.youtube.com/watch?v=9bQvbjp60Es
www.milanazilnik.com/albums/metamorfosi

"A GAME" - the 9th track from "Metamorfosi" album telling the story of a composer who wanted to write music for "Alice in Wonderland" and found herself falling through a rabbit hole opened in her piano. This track is the chapter where the Queen of Hearts challenges Composer-Alice to the game of Steampunk-ish Chess. The Game begins and Alice faces the Queen and her army. Steam engines roar as Alice's Knights climb their mechanical Horses, charging at Queen's army to let Alice slay the Jabberwock in the final battle for “Metamorfosi” land.

---

This story is not about Alice. Although, we’ve all had Alice in our lives. As well as the Cheshire Cat, Mad Hatter, Queen of Hearts and Jabberwocky, in one form or another. This story is about you. This story is about me.

My life has been swirling around Wonderland for a long time. I have two cats who are as mischievous as Cheshire’s smile. I have Mad Hatter for a husband, crazy enough to believe in three impossible things before breakfast and all day long, and even crazier to make them real. I have Tweedledee and Tweedledum for kids, complementing each other in curious ways. I have my own inner demons to fight against, be it the Red Queen or Jabberwocky.

Together with my Mad Hatter we’ve been playing this eternal chess game of Metamorphosis, transforming dreams into reality. We both felt like Alice’s story just wanted to hatch through our music into the wonder of this world. And it finally did, bending time and reflecting the sky. All we had to do is making the choice to follow the White Rabbit down the Rabbit Hole. It took us to places we’ve never been before. And this journey becomes Curiouser and Curiouser ever.

We are all mad here!

----
Composed by Milana Zilnik
Produced by Arty Sandler
Piano, vocals, Hang drums by Milana Zilnik (Canada)
Cello by Yoed Nir (Israel)
Electric and acoustic guitars by Vitaliy Tkachuk (Ukraine)
Drums and percussion by Phil DiMercurio (US)
Electric and upright bass by Craig Akin (US)
Flutes by Boris Khodorkovsky (Canada)
Mixed and mastered in stereo and in Dolby Atmos by Justin Gray (Canada)
Illustrated by Anastasia Frenkel (Canada)

A Game

"A Game" from "Metamorfosi" by Milana Zilnik

www.youtube.com/watch?v=9bQvbjp60Es
www.milanazilnik.com/albums/metamorfosi

"JABBERWOCKY" - the 10th track from "Metamorfosi" album telling the story of a composer who wanted to write music for "Alice in Wonderland" and found herself falling through a rabbit hole opened in her piano. This track is the chapter where the Composer-Alice faces the Jabberwock in the final battle for “Metamorfosi” land.

---

This story is not about Alice. Although, we’ve all had Alice in our lives. As well as the Cheshire Cat, Mad Hatter, Queen of Hearts and Jabberwocky, in one form or another. This story is about you. This story is about me.

My life has been swirling around Wonderland for a long time. I have two cats who are as mischievous as Cheshire’s smile. I have Mad Hatter for a husband, crazy enough to believe in three impossible things before breakfast and all day long, and even crazier to make them real. I have Tweedledee and Tweedledum for kids, complementing each other in curious ways. I have my own inner demons to fight against, be it the Red Queen or Jabberwocky.

Together with my Mad Hatter we’ve been playing this eternal chess game of Metamorphosis, transforming dreams into reality. We both felt like Alice’s story just wanted to hatch through our music into the wonder of this world. And it finally did, bending time and reflecting the sky. All we had to do is making the choice to follow the White Rabbit down the Rabbit Hole. It took us to places we’ve never been before. And this journey becomes Curiouser and Curiouser ever.

We are all mad here!

----
Composed by Milana Zilnik
Produced by Arty Sandler
Piano, vocals, Hang drums by Milana Zilnik (Canada)
Cello by Yoed Nir (Israel)
Electric and acoustic guitars by Vitaliy Tkachuk (Ukraine)
Drums and percussion by Phil DiMercurio (US)
Electric and upright bass by Craig Akin (US)
Flutes by Boris Khodorkovsky (Canada)
Mixed and mastered in stereo and in Dolby Atmos by Justin Gray (Canada)
Illustrated by Anastasia Frenkel (Canada)

Jabberwocky

"Jabberwocky" from "Metamorfosi" by Milana Zilnik

www.youtube.com/watch?v=9bQvbjp60Es
www.milanazilnik.com/albums/metamorfosi

"BENDING TIME" - the 11th track from "Metamorfosi" album telling the story of a composer who wanted to write music for "Alice in Wonderland" and found herself falling through a rabbit hole opened in her piano. This track is the chapter where the Composer-Alice slays the Jabberwock and gets the ability to rewrite history of the “Metamorfosi” land ridding it from all the evil.

---

This story is not about Alice. Although, we’ve all had Alice in our lives. As well as the Cheshire Cat, Mad Hatter, Queen of Hearts and Jabberwocky, in one form or another. This story is about you. This story is about me.

My life has been swirling around Wonderland for a long time. I have two cats who are as mischievous as Cheshire’s smile. I have Mad Hatter for a husband, crazy enough to believe in three impossible things before breakfast and all day long, and even crazier to make them real. I have Tweedledee and Tweedledum for kids, complementing each other in curious ways. I have my own inner demons to fight against, be it the Red Queen or Jabberwocky.

Together with my Mad Hatter we’ve been playing this eternal chess game of Metamorphosis, transforming dreams into reality. We both felt like Alice’s story just wanted to hatch through our music into the wonder of this world. And it finally did, bending time and reflecting the sky. All we had to do is making the choice to follow the White Rabbit down the Rabbit Hole. It took us to places we’ve never been before. And this journey becomes Curiouser and Curiouser ever.

We are all mad here!

----
Composed by Milana Zilnik
Produced by Arty Sandler
Piano, vocals, Hang drums by Milana Zilnik (Canada)
Cello by Yoed Nir (Israel)
Electric and acoustic guitars by Vitaliy Tkachuk (Ukraine)
Drums and percussion by Phil DiMercurio (US)
Electric and upright bass by Craig Akin (US)
Flutes by Boris Khodorkovsky (Canada)
Mixed and mastered in stereo and in Dolby Atmos by Justin Gray (Canada)
Illustrated by Anastasia Frenkel (Canada)

Bending Time

"Bending Time" from "Metamorfosi" by Milana Zilnik

www.youtube.com/watch?v=9bQvbjp60Es
www.milanazilnik.com/albums/metamorfosi

"REFLECTING THE SKY" - the 12th track from "Metamorfosi" album telling the story of a composer who wanted to write music for "Alice in Wonderland" and found herself falling through a rabbit hole opened in her piano. This track is the chapter where the Composer-Alice brings peace to the “Metamorfosi” land.

---

This story is not about Alice. Although, we’ve all had Alice in our lives. As well as the Cheshire Cat, Mad Hatter, Queen of Hearts and Jabberwocky, in one form or another. This story is about you. This story is about me.

My life has been swirling around Wonderland for a long time. I have two cats who are as mischievous as Cheshire’s smile. I have Mad Hatter for a husband, crazy enough to believe in three impossible things before breakfast and all day long, and even crazier to make them real. I have Tweedledee and Tweedledum for kids, complementing each other in curious ways. I have my own inner demons to fight against, be it the Red Queen or Jabberwocky.

Together with my Mad Hatter we’ve been playing this eternal chess game of Metamorphosis, transforming dreams into reality. We both felt like Alice’s story just wanted to hatch through our music into the wonder of this world. And it finally did, bending time and reflecting the sky. All we had to do is making the choice to follow the White Rabbit down the Rabbit Hole. It took us to places we’ve never been before. And this journey becomes Curiouser and Curiouser ever.

We are all mad here!

----
Composed by Milana Zilnik
Produced by Arty Sandler
Piano, vocals, Hang drums by Milana Zilnik (Canada)
Cello by Yoed Nir (Israel)
Electric and acoustic guitars by Vitaliy Tkachuk (Ukraine)
Drums and percussion by Phil DiMercurio (US)
Electric and upright bass by Craig Akin (US)
Flutes by Boris Khodorkovsky (Canada)
Mixed and mastered in stereo and in Dolby Atmos by Justin Gray (Canada)
Illustrated by Anastasia Frenkel (Canada)

Reflecting The Sky

"Reflecting The Sky" from "Metamorfosi" by Milana Zilnik

www.youtube.com/watch?v=9bQvbjp60Es
www.milanazilnik.com/albums/metamorfosi

"THE OTHER JOURNEY" - the 13th and the final track from "Metamorfosi" album telling the story of a composer who wanted to write music for "Alice in Wonderland" and found herself falling through a rabbit hole opened in her piano. This track is the final chapter where the journey of Composer-Alice to the "Metamorfosi" land comes to an end... but this is just the beginning of the other journey..

---

This story is not about Alice. Although, we’ve all had Alice in our lives. As well as the Cheshire Cat, Mad Hatter, Queen of Hearts and Jabberwocky, in one form or another. This story is about you. This story is about me.

My life has been swirling around Wonderland for a long time. I have two cats who are as mischievous as Cheshire’s smile. I have Mad Hatter for a husband, crazy enough to believe in three impossible things before breakfast and all day long, and even crazier to make them real. I have Tweedledee and Tweedledum for kids, complementing each other in curious ways. I have my own inner demons to fight against, be it the Red Queen or Jabberwocky.

Together with my Mad Hatter we’ve been playing this eternal chess game of Metamorphosis, transforming dreams into reality. We both felt like Alice’s story just wanted to hatch through our music into the wonder of this world. And it finally did, bending time and reflecting the sky. All we had to do is making the choice to follow the White Rabbit down the Rabbit Hole. It took us to places we’ve never been before. And this journey becomes Curiouser and Curiouser ever.

We are all mad here!

----
Composed by Milana Zilnik
Produced by Arty Sandler
Piano, vocals, Hang drums by Milana Zilnik (Canada)
Cello by Yoed Nir (Israel)
Electric and acoustic guitars by Vitaliy Tkachuk (Ukraine)
Drums and percussion by Phil DiMercurio (US)
Electric and upright bass by Craig Akin (US)
Flutes by Boris Khodorkovsky (Canada)
Mixed and mastered in stereo and in Dolby Atmos by Justin Gray (Canada)
Illustrated by Anastasia Frenkel (Canada)

The Other Journey

"The Other Journey" from "Metamorfosi" by Milana Zilnik

Spotify: sptfy.com/93U
iTunes: itunes.apple.com/album/id1064667349
Facebook: fb.me/ZilnikMilana
---
Another piano improvisation that is based on Arty's motif. We decided to offer it for you to remix, arrange or orchestrate. You may download this file or download the following archive:

http://www.milana.ws/audio/milana_moonlight_stroll.zip (54Mb)

that includes both this version and quantized version (90bpm) with both WAV and MIDI files.

Use your imagination :) You shouldn't follow the original piano as-is but as well can cut parts of the MIDI, leaving some connection to the original, e.g. by incorporating the same motif.

At the end I will choose the most unique and intriguing arrangements and send them to my publisher for commercial licensing - of course, upon mutual agreement about the split with the arranger :)

Here is the list of all the current mixes, which are publicly available on SC:
https://soundcloud.com/milanazilnik/sets/moonlight-stroll-open


Moonlight Stroll - Milana - on iTunes, Spotify - Open Collaboration!

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EZkNqPVISTM
Follow me on SPOTIFY: sptfy.com/93U

And here comes the very first acoustic recording of my new grand piano :) Arty spent an hour playing with different positions of mics and finally got sound that he wasn't shy to share. Certainly, there is a lot of experimenting to be done to get a better recording, this is mostly a very first try to record my new baby.

Both me and Arty are big fans of "The Piano" movie and Michael Nyman's compositions and this piece is one of my all times favorites to play and improvise on. I hope I did it justice. I don't have notes, so it's an improvisation played by ear.

The Heart Asks Pleasure First (Michael Nyman) - Improvisation by Milana - VIDEO!

https://www.milanazilnik.com/albums/thelittleprince

THE ALBUM IS COMING AUGUST 2nd!
As a child, I had a truly magical time with stories, and my mom reading them to me. The way she intonated and impersonated each character was just so fascinating to me. Her voice was the music I always heard before falling asleep, and as soon as I would actually fall asleep, the music kept going. Which was and still is sometimes a torture as much as a pleasure.

As an artist, I always come back to that child and those stories. They still resonate with me but on a much deeper level. The notes now combined with colors and smells, patterns become a dance or a soundscape rather than just a melody. So, I splash with my watercolors palette and watch the music as it merges with the world, and I invite the listener to this never-ending journey.

“The Little Prince” was one of my favorite stories, one filled with quiet moments and hidden meanings, mystery, and gentleness, and humor - the kind of story that haunts you all your life. This story holds a philosophy that I resonate with: I feel myself just like the main character - wishing to create my own worlds, organize my thoughts according to my personality, and not to be put into the frame of adulthood. I feel the rebellious urge to wake myself up from a grey existence and use all the colors, humor, sounds, and smells that exist in the story of the Little Prince.

It became even more special since my son was born. We painted the Little Prince on the window in a daycare room, the home daycare I used to run in our own house before embarking on the journey of a composer. At that time, we were surrounded by music and art all day long as my children grew up, and I was experiencing their enchantment with music and the Little Prince once more. In 2021 another miracle happened that was also related to the story: I received an email from Leipzig Ballet, asking for permission to use two of my compositions for their ballet show based on "The Little Prince". All that inspired me to write an entire album dedicated to the story.

I am extremely grateful to my family: parents, children, and a wonderful husband who allows my inner child to grow into an artist. I believe we all need the magic of a storytelling experience, and I tried my best to awaken all the senses into it.

Piano Stories of The Little Prince

More Info

"The Little Prince" by Milana Zilnik

Spotify: sptfy.com/93U
iTunes: itunes.apple.com/album/id1064667349
Facebook: fb.me/ZilnikMilana
----
Having grand piano at home is pretty addictive - spending hours and hours playing every day. I would play even more if I had the time :) However, recording improvisations on the grand piano is a tricky and long process. No more fixing wrong notes. Not that I play many of those :) but when a live performance is being recorded in MIDI - it's tempting to fix even a single one. When it's an acoustic recording - alas. Besides, it's not that easy to transcribe acoustic recordings - MIDI is way easier to transcribe. Easier, but not trivial as I don't compose in any notation software but sit in front of an instrument and improvise live, what is sometimes called "an instant composition".  It takes about a week to transcribe a single improvisation into sheet music but it's an absolutely amazing feeling when I get the notes for my own improvisations - they stop being "moments in time that never repeat" and become compositions that can be played over and over again. And not just by myself.

Anyways, here is a new improvisation from me..... based on Arty's motif :) This isn't an acoustic recording but same MIDI recording, produced using one of sampled pianos in Propellerhead Reason - same way as most of my piano pieces... However, now I will make a note sheet for it, so I'll be able to play it again on the acoustic piano.. in the future :)

On another note, I am happy to announce the release of my new piano album "Spirit of Journey". The album is available on iTunes, Amazon, BandCamp, CDBaby, Spotify and other major online stores and streaming services. Your support is very much appreciated, all the earnings from album sales go back into the creation of music: new and better recording equipment, new and better composing tools and sound libraries and so on.

Review by Kathy Parsons from MainlyPiano: http://mainlypiano.com/2015_Reviews/Milana-Spirit_of_Journey.html


It's Impossible

It's Impossible - Milana - on iTunes,Spotify

www.milanazilnik.com/albums/thelittleprince

THE ALBUM IS COMING AUGUST 2nd!
As a child, I had a truly magical time with stories, and my mom reading them to me. The way she intonated and impersonated each character was just so fascinating to me. Her voice was the music I always heard before falling asleep, and as soon as I would actually fall asleep, the music kept going. Which was and still is sometimes a torture as much as a pleasure.

As an artist, I always come back to that child and those stories. They still resonate with me but on a much deeper level. The notes now combined with colors and smells, patterns become a dance or a soundscape rather than just a melody. So, I splash with my watercolors palette and watch the music as it merges with the world, and I invite the listener to this never-ending journey.

“The Little Prince” was one of my favorite stories, one filled with quiet moments and hidden meanings, mystery, and gentleness, and humor - the kind of story that haunts you all your life. This story holds a philosophy that I resonate with: I feel myself just like the main character - wishing to create my own worlds, organize my thoughts according to my personality, and not to be put into the frame of adulthood. I feel the rebellious urge to wake myself up from a grey existence and use all the colors, humor, sounds, and smells that exist in the story of the Little Prince.

It became even more special since my son was born. We painted the Little Prince on the window in a daycare room, the home daycare I used to run in our own house before embarking on the journey of a composer. At that time, we were surrounded by music and art all day long as my children grew up, and I was experiencing their enchantment with music and the Little Prince once more. In 2021 another miracle happened that was also related to the story: I received an email from Leipzig Ballet, asking for permission to use two of my compositions for their ballet show based on "The Little Prince". All that inspired me to write an entire album dedicated to the story.

I am extremely grateful to my family: parents, children, and a wonderful husband who allows my inner child to grow into an artist. I believe we all need the magic of a storytelling experience, and I tried my best to awaken all the senses into it.

"Show Off" from "Piano Stories of the Little Prince" by Milana Zilnik

"The Business Man" from "Piano Stories of the Little Prince" by Milana Zilnik

"Forty Four Sunsets" from "Piano Stories of the Little Prince" by Milana Zilnik

"A Drunkard" from "Piano Stories of the Little Prince" by Milana Zilnik

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Os5luKy0s1U
---
Please enjoy my improvisation on "Etude-Tableau (op. 33, no. 8)" by Rachmaninoff. I appreciate your comments and sharing my music with others!

"Not Rachmaninoff" by Milana (Acoustic+Video)

Live Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nvr7fhTi4Mk
New album: https://milana.bandcamp.com/album/spirit-of-journey
---
Please enjoy my improvisational tribute for one of the maestros - for Bach. I appreciate subscriptions to my YouTube channel ;-)

I'd also like to announce the upcoming release (18th of December!) of my 4th original piano album "Spirit of Journey". The album will be available as a digital album on iTunes, Amazon, Spotify etc. 

The album is available on BandCamp already, both as a digital album and on CD! I will gladly sign the first ordered copies :) https://milana.bandcamp.com/album/spirit-of-journey

Whenever I start improvising, I am taken on a journey. Melodies and harmonies constantly move and while they do, they let me create scenes from places I've never been to. Yet, the music has the spirit that unites and translates all of that to the listener. 

I invite you to share the spirit of this journey with me. This piano album is about a constant movement, dynamic rhythms and rich harmonies on the edge of jazz and rock. Cinematic soundtracks will take you to mysterious gardens, detective stories, a maze of surreal dreams and a moonlight stroll. 

With huge thanks to my husband and family. They are my own spirit, my journey, my music. 

Yours, 
M.

For Bach

YouTube

"For Bach" by Milana (Acoustic, Live Video)

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=41-c7jgX0Gc

Rediscovering the beauty of the classical music. I played this very piece on my exams back then when I was in the 8th grade of a musical school. It was long-long-long time ago and I haven't played this piece ever since... until about a month ago when I decided to learn it again. Enjoy my performance of Edvard Grieg 's "Butterfly". I appreciate your subscribing to my YouTube channel :)

"Butterfly" E. Grieg (Acoustic+Video) performed by Milana

Video Announcement: https://youtu.be/vrAFGT4G7Dk
Spotify: http://sptfy.com/1KDy
iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/album/una-corda-fantasia/id1083953221
(For open collaboration details - read below)

Last summer I had the exciting privilege to meet a very special person - David Klavins (@ThePianoGuy), the creator of two unique pianos: The Giant and Una Corda. A gentle power and a shimmering dream. An old wise ocean and a sweet youthful fantasia. Northern Lights and Eternal Rainbow. I am trying to find the right words to express it as I literally got lost when I touched The Giant and Una Corda. I was trapped in the fairy tale where elves are playing their magical harps in a Shimmering Forest.

When I came back to reality, the enchantment followed me all the way home and I let it touch the keys and create its magic, loving and improvisational, romantic and jazzy. This is how Una Corda Fantasia album was born. For you to listen and enjoy the dream.

- iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/album/una-corda-fantasia/id1083953221
- Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01BPQT5DA
- BandCamp: https://milana.bandcamp.com/album/una-corda-fantasia

These days David is building the new Giant (http://klavins-pianos.com/b/mod450_en.htm), a new incredible piano. You can be a part of it by buying “Una Corda Fantasia” - all the proceeds from the online sales will be donated to support the creation of the new Giant. Thank you and enjoy the music! 

You can download this track (60 bpm) and remix, arrange, orchestrate it in any way you want. Please, drop me a message with the link to your version and I will add it to the playlist with all the versions of this track:

https://soundcloud.com/milanazilnik/sets/let-me-tell-you-a-story-open

 Please, include the link back to this track in the description of your version, so others can discover it as well and support the creation of the new Giant.

If you want the original MIDI, you can download the WAV with the MIDI over here:
http://www.milana.ws/audio/milana_una_corda_fantasia_let_me_tell_you_a_story.zip

Let Me Tell You A Story - Una Corda Fantasia - New Album and Open Collaboration!

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z6nxI8TNL6w
---
When I uploaded this track, SoundCloud banned it immediately: their automated system "thought" it is a sound recording by Vladimir Ashkenazy (owned by Decca). 

Anyways... continuing with Tchaikovsky's Seasons: "June", the first month of Summer season...  If you want to get insight into how we record these videos, you can see this live stream captured on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ZilnikMilana/videos/1065292906841799/

If you want to see such live videos in the future, you are very welcome to like my page on Facebook to get the updates :) And subscribe to my YouTube channel of course :)

"June" P. Tchaikovsky. Performed by Milana (Live video)

Video and Behind-the-scenes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hJ5MHfWv3Zk
---
There is no love story that is unique, yet no love story is the same. My love happened to be deeply intertwined with music and with my husband. When he asked me to improvise different feelings on my piano, I didn't think it would end up as a story of our life: from the anticipation of the first date, from the surprise and joy of new relations to the moments of doubt and fear, disgust and anger, followed by guilt, sadness and contemplation. But above all it always comes down to trust and... 

LOVE! The twelfth, concluding track from my new album "Yet Another Love Story", telling the story of my love and music. I let my piano play and it sang me this song, jazzy and romantic, swinging and rocking, lush harmonies and memorable motifs.

Don't miss the second part of the video! We shared the story of how this album came to life :) If you have difficulties understanding our accents, just turn on the subtitles :)

We would also like to ask for your support! We plan to shoot a professional music video this year, which would be a rather expensive project to pull, paying from our own pockets. You can help funding it by purchasing an album on BandCamp. Thank you!
iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/album/yet-another-love-story-live/id1210505002
BandCamp: https://milana.bandcamp.com/album/yet-another-love-story
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Yet-Another-Love-Story-Live/dp/B06XC8NQ26/

From me to you, 
    into eternal story,
        with love in every note I play.
        
            Milana

Yet Another Love Story

Love

"Love" from the new album "Yet Another Love Story" by Milana Zilnik

I'm sorry for not following your songs recently. We got an accident last weekend: my son fell down and broke his leg. So, we're spending more time with him now and it doesn't leave much time for listening and commenting. I'll catch up, I promise :)
------------
I'm so excited to announce that this track is included into my first piano album (totally remastered) that can be purchased here:

CreateSpace (Amazon company): https://www.createspace.com/2114703/
iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/filling-the-emptiness/id619904504
Amazon MP3: http://www.amazon.com/Filling-the-Emptiness/dp/B00BEFN548/
Google Music: https://play.google.com/store/music/album/Milana_Filling_the_Emptiness?id=Bjsffhqj42u2ldoc35pwfnibzre
Bandcamp: http://milana.bandcamp.com/album/filling-the-emptiness

I can't express how much I'm grateful to everyone on SoundCloud who has supported me!

Thank you all!
Cheers, 
Milana 

Endless Night

Endless night (instrumental) - Milana

Getting tired of winter... missing the sun
---
I am happy to announce the release of my 2nd original piano album! I consider the pieces included in this album to be my best compositions, recorded in 2013. The album has some tracks, which are not included in this set.

I hope you will enjoy them as much as I enjoyed playing them. Your support is very much appreciated as it brings me closer to achieving one of my dreams - to have a real acoustic grand piano. Thank you for your continuous appreciation of my music!

iTunes: http://itunes.apple.com/album/accidental-etudes/id848461749
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Accidental-Etudes-Milana/dp/B00J8ZCOF2
BandCamp: http://milana.bandcamp.com/album/accidental-etudes

Reviews:
Kathy Parsons: http://www.mainlypiano.com/2014_Reviews/Milana-Accidental_Etudes.html
Michael Diamond: http://michaeldiamondmusic.com/2014/04/29/accidental-etudes-by-milana/
Sally Rowsell: http://rowsellstudio.blogspot.ca/2014/05/accidental-etudes-milana-zilnik.html

Missing the Sun

Missing the sun - Milana - on iTunes!

It was a little bit scary to try to cover Tori Amos, especially this song. But I decided to give it a try :)

Crucify - Tori Amos - Cover by Milana (piano, vox)

After some short chat with Dirk, I decided to give it a try and improvise on the theme of one of Dirk's wonderful compositions :) Here is the result.

The original piece: http://soundcloud.com/ascoltadi/dirk-maassen-to-the-sky
-------------
I would also love to use the opportunity and announce the release of my piano album "Filling the emptiness" that is available on iTunes, Amazon MP3, BandCamp and so on. For all the links: http://www.milana.ws/albums.html

Variation on the theme of "To the sky" (Dirk Maassen) by Milana

Been busy lately.. and still am :) But when it comes to covering some musical with Elle, I just couldn't resist :) Despite of having some kind of a spring allergy and being unable to sing properly. It has taken almost two months but here is the result :)

Composer: Michel Legrand 
Lyrics: Alan and Marilyn Bergman
Piano: Milana
Vocals: Elle (@elleshell8) and Milana
Orchestration: Milana and Arty (@artyom-tchebotaryov)
Production: Arty (@artyom-tchebotaryov)

Two more songs with Elle:
http://soundcloud.com/milanazilnik/phantom-of-the-opera-angel-of-music
http://soundcloud.com/milanazilnik/my-favorite-things-milana-elle

The windmills of your mind - Milana (piano, vox), Elle (vox)

Playing piano since I was four and studied in a musical school for ten years. Though, I always felt that playing by notes and singing in a choir is not enough to become a musician. I needed to be able to play anything I want by ear so, by starting improvising, I've found my own style of playing. When I teach children to play piano or sing, I offer them improvisation right from the beginning. I wish I was taught that way, since until my mid-30s I had hard times to relax and believe in my ability to create my own music. Twelve years ago my husband (@arty-sandler) finally convinced me to record some of my improvisations and we opened this account on SoundCloud - it happened in July, 2012.

You won't find a single particular genre on my cloud: my musical tastes are rather eclectic. Jazz and soft rock are my favorites but I also play blues, classical, folk, middle-eastern, New Age, ambient and others. Piano and vocal are my main instruments but together with my husband we also experiment a lot with different arrangements and orchestrations. 

When we started uploading our music to SoundCloud back in 2012, it was first shy attempts to record my improvisations straight from a keyboard. Many things have evolved since then. Over the years we've grown into a professional recording and composing studio, with a conservatory grand piano in an acoustically treated room and a bunch of microphones and other recording equipment. We scored a few documentaries, short films and animations. This year my orchestral and piano solo works were performed by Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra for Bryan Arias’s ballet show based on “The Little Prince” story. We've published three books with my original scores for solo piano and released twenty original full-length albums (solo piano, multi-instrumental and original songs in various genres) and numerous singles that have been streamed over 70 million times across multiple platforms.

I am glad you stepped by into my musical world and appreciate your comments and following me.

Popular tracks by Milana Zilnik