“The initial motivation for this album was my reaction to the full-scale war in Ukraine. Being away from Ukraine since 2011, yet visiting every year over the summers, I have “lived” all the events of the Revolution of Dignity, annexation of Crimea, war in the East of Ukraine, and finally on February 24, 2022, Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. It is a special kind of helplessness one feels when watching one’s homeland steeped in bloodshed.

I always endeavour to include Ukrainian pieces in my concert programs and research. In my view, at the time of this war, when Ukrainian cultural artefacts are being physically destroyed, the only meaningful action I felt I could take as a musician was to amplify Ukrainian voices for audiences around the world.

For me, all the works on this album are about resilience and the generosity of the Ukrainian spirit. Pidgorna’s creative visual score is inspired by a jagged hole in a door, mirroring the physical wound all Ukrainians carry in their hearts. The listener can decide who are the two parties leading the expressive dialogue in through closed doors. Almashi’s Duo for Two Violins, No. 1 is melodious and expressive, a sincere and passionate plea for the end of the war. Loginov’s sleep during insomnia depicts the shock and the journey of every Ukrainian since February 2022. Silvestrov’s Melodies of the Moments quietly echoes memories from our peaceful lives. And finally, Bezborodko’s victorious Concert Fantasy on Cossack Beyond the Danube recalls the perseverance of the Ukrainian people."

You can listen to the CD  

In the following links:

To read a brochure about this album click here.

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