Unusual Classics

In a masterful performance by the Honored Academic Song and Dance Ensemble of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, an extraordinary musical journey spanning three centuries will unfold before you. Under the baton of conductors Volodymyr Nalutsyshyn and Dmytro Morozov, every piece in the program stands as vivid testimony to the indomitable power of art.

The first act draws back the curtain on the Baroque and Classical eras. From the majestic "Prince of Denmark's March" and Bach’s virtuous "Badinerie," we move toward deep philosophical reflections in the Great Cantor’s Keyboard Concerto and the mystical serenity of Beethoven’s "Moonlight Sonata." This section culminates in a true symphonic firework—Liszt’s "Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2," embodying irrepressible energy and national spirit.

The second act immerses the audience in a world of subtle emotions and vivid memories. The exquisite Impressionism of Ravel and the soulful lyricism of César Franck—whose sonata takes on a particularly "human" voice when performed on the saxophone—create an atmosphere of peace and warmth. The modern rhythms of Gerhard Fink and the twilight reflections of Oliver Lange set the stage for the final explosion of emotion.

The evening concludes with the sparkling overture to Offenbach’s "Orpheus in the Underworld." Its world-famous Can-can is a hymn to the joy of living, reminding us that even in the darkest times, light, humor, and music grant us the strength to move forward.