Vesna Duo: Poptimism
UNCSA Media

On an earlier Vesna Duo release, pianist Liana Pailodze Harron and percussionist Ksenija Komljenovic presented a fresh arrangement of Stravinsky's The Rite of Spring, an inspired choice and a fitting one, given that Vesna's the name of a Slavic mythological goddess associated with, in part, the spring season. Having reaped critical and artistic rewards for that project, the two now turn their attention to chart-toppers by Rihanna, Sting, Soundgarden, and others on the EP Poptimism. Testifying to their range, Harron and Komljenovic have also presented re-imaginings of material by Arvo Pärt, J. S. Bach, and Astor Piazzolla. Hailing respectively from the Republic of Georgia and Serbia, Harron and Komljenovic extend their interest in the musical traditions of their home countries to their adopted one in featuring six pieces from the pop, rock, and indie scenes.

As the striking cover image shows, Poptimism was crafted with the mixtape in mind, its selections some of the duo's favourites from the past three decades. Reframed for the concert stage in arrangements by Miloš Branisavljevic, the songs retain their original appeal in an acoustic chamber context. The set's issued, incidentally, on UNCSA Media, a label launched in 2023 as an outlet for projects by faculty and alumni of the University of North Carolina School of the Arts (Komljenovic's a UNCSA School of Music faculty member).

A key part of the EP's appeal lies in hearing familiar material refracted into compelling new form. Rather than merely transpose the originals into a piano-and-percussion format, Branisavljevic has draped the songs in colourful garb and with some interesting stylistic twists and turns to go with it. Opening with Rihanna's “Diamonds” was smart, considering its insidious hooks. Taking the melodic lead, Komljenovic voices the dramatic theme on marimba alongside a dazzling arpeggiated backdrop by her partner. As in the original, intensity builds rapidly in the duo's version until a mid-song segue provides a brief lyrical respite before the fire reignites. If Dean Lewis's “With You” is a little less iconic than “Diamonds,” it receives no less an enthusiastic reading from the duo. The song's uplifting melodies and infectiously swinging rhythms are ear-catchingly delivered via prepared piano and dancing mallet patterns. With the musicians amplifying the song's melodies loudly, “With You” even beings to rival “Diamonds” on anthemic grounds.

Vesna Duo's suave rendition of Sting's “Shape of My Heart” offers a pleasing contrast to the high-level intensity of the opening numbers; its melancholy mood likewise makes for an effective shift in tone, and the arrangement also affords Harron and Komljenovic an opportunity to highlight their elegant classical sides. A rollicking version of Hozier's “Take Me to Church” calls forth a gospel-inspired treatment, with Harron in particular giving herself wholly to the urge. Bowed marimba textures imbue the duo's cover of Soundgarden's “Black Hole Sun” with a delicate, dream-like quality before the chorus moves things along aggressively with pounding piano chords leading the charge and bongo flourishes enhancing the arrangement. A driving recasting of Beyoncé's “Run the World (Girls)” caps the release with one final anthem, this one about, obviously, female empowerment and delivered fittingly by the also-powerful Harron and Komljenovic.

April 2026