Viktoria Grynenko: Contemporary Music from Ukraine

Contemporary Works from Ukraine for violin by Bezborodko, Bibik, Loginov, Pidhorna, Silvestrov and Zavhorodnii

During a difficult time, Ukrainian new compositions show a burst of creativity. Other examples in music and art history during conflicts provide a comparison for discussion. The intimate space of McLuhan House offers an unparalleled opportunity to get to know not only these works but to understand and ask questions about contemporary composers’ creative exploration of sound, dance and space. These are performed and discussed by Viktoria Grynenko, a virtuoso violinist, teacher and scholar of this music. After studies in Ukraine, she holds a Ph.D. in Music from University of Alberta. She studies the skills of ballet and dance accompanists.

“ My aim for this recital is to give the audience tools to listen to contemporary music, what to listen for, how to have an enriching experience and dialogue with the music, and how to embrace the dissonance. Starting with Valentin Bibik and Valentin Silvestrov, luminaries of new music in Ukraine, we will move to Kyiv piano virtuoso Oleg Bezborodko, Ukrainian-Canadian Anna Pidhorna, and finish with the works by Boris Loginov and Ihor Zavhorodnii, written after the 2022 Russian invasion. There will be complete performances and excerpts used to illustrate the lecture. ” (Viktoria Geynenko)

Program :

Bezborodko Concert Fantasy “Cossack Beyond the Danube” on Gulak-Artemovsky’s opera

Zavhorodnii “Lacrimosa” for violin solo

Silvestrov “Melodies of the Moments” for violin and piano

Excerpts for artist’s talk and discussion :

Pidhorna, “Through closed doors”

Bibik “Sorrowful Music”

Loginov “sleep during insomnia” quartet and electronics (recorded)

(Program subject to change)

50% of net proceeds will go to the Canada Ukraine Foundation’s Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal.