Ukrainian poem

The program brings together iconic works by Yevhen Stankovych and Borys Liatoshynsky, unveiling the richness of the Ukrainian musical tradition in its lyrical, dramatic, and philosophical dimensions.

Yevhen Stankovych’s "Ukrainian Poem" for violin and chamber orchestra emerges as a profound inner statement, where the violin sounds like a voice of memory — restrained, tense, and full of hidden meanings. This is music that does not simply invoke tradition but relives it as a living, pulsating entity. His Chamber Symphony No. 3 for flute and eleven strings, named one of the world's ten best symphonies by the International Rostrum of Composers (UNESCO), reveals another dimension of his compositional thought. It is music of extreme emotional concentration, where the collision between the gentle, mournful melody of the flute (often echoing the intonations of Ukrainian folk laments) and the harsh energy of the strings creates a dramatic landscape of confrontation between the beautiful and the ugly, the dream and reality — a struggle that defines its essence.

Borys Liatoshynsky’s "Slavic Concerto" for piano and orchestra concludes the program with a grand symphonic canvas, blending heroism, lyricism, and virtuoso brilliance. This work presents a generalized image — not folkloric, but deep and almost archetypal. The piano part emerges as an equal voice in dialogue with the orchestra, unfolding with great internal power and dramatic integrity.

This program focuses on the depth of intonation, the strength of personal expression, and the inner tension born in the space between silence and sound. It bridges different generations and aesthetics, yet resonates as a cohesive artistic statement, united by the sheer power of Yevhen Stankovych’s and Borys Liatoshynsky’s talent.