Image credit: Sergey Nesterov

With a varied and substantial body of work which spans classical music, film scores, and video game soundtracks, Sergey Nesterov, perhaps better known by his stage name Sergey Neiss, has established himself as a talented, multi-faceted voice in the world of classical and media music.

Nesterov started as a pianist with classical training at age five, and a few years after discovering his early love of music, he started composing. As a child, he was deeply moved by memorable and catchy melodies he heard in children’s cartoons, and this laid the groundwork for his later commitment to crafting compelling and emotionally stirring musical experiences that resonate with listeners.

Nesterov’s formative years were not devoid of challenge and turmoil, however. Raised in post-Soviet Russia, he was brought up in the stringent classical music system that is, while famous for producing wonderkids, is often times unresponsive to the emotional needs of students. Deeply rooted in Soviet traditions, it provides a singular vision for what music should be, demands austerity and classical purity, and rewards zealots while punishing others. Despite the difficulties, however, he maintained his love for music in all of its manifestations, and became a more resilient professional. His later move to study at UCLA helped provide a nurturing environment that further fueled his creativity and opened new horizons.

Nesterov’s ability to create, arrange, and perform in various musical genres is a testament to his multi-talented nature. His work includes anything from avant-garde 21st-century classical music to crooner jazz, from arrangements of 19^th century ballets to electronic dance music. This extensive experience has refined his talents, enabling him to create a distinctive musical voice that can rise to any challenge.

The composer has received many awards for his talent, with one of the most notable being the Boris Tchaikovsky Society Prize. This distinguished honor, bestowed by former pupils of the renowned composer Boris Tchaikovsky, demonstrates Nesterov’s extraordinary aptitude and originality.

Nesterov’s pieces have been performed worldwide, including in Italy, France, China, the USA, Switzerland, Russia, and Syria. His compositions have come to life with renowned orchestras, including the New Russia Symphony Orchestra and The National Philharmonic Orchestra of Russia, as well as distinguished soloists like Tony Arnold and Hila Plitmann. The soundtrack for the short film Vice Versa, one of his noteworthy works, was also well-received at several international film festivals.

Image credit: Sergey Nesterov

Nesterov’s contribution to the fan-made expansion Fallout: Miami received good press in the video game industry. His talent for composing captivating soundscapes for various media was also demonstrated at the esteemed Virtual Market (Vket), one of the significant VR expositions, where his original soundtrack for the upcoming video game MOONATIC was showcased.

In addition to writing film scores, Nesterov seeks to pen an opera and a ballet in the coming years. The recent performance of his works at the Ambassador Auditorium during the iPalpiti Festival in Pasadena on July 27, 2024 was undoubtedly among his career’s highlights as well.  With a body of work already featuring classical compositions, motion picture scores, and video game music, this impressive composer is intent on expanding into even more diverse projects in the future.