Ukraine’s geopolitical history is probably one of the world’s most dramatic and tragic, as is its history of music. This lecture offers an insight into the Ukrainian classical musical scene starting with the 17th century and proceeding into modern times. The audience will be introduced to the music of four most important composers of Ukraine: Mykola Lysenko, Vasyl Barvinsky, Myroslav Skoryk, and Yevhen Stankovych, and discuss various musical and political factors that influenced life and their creative output. 

Ready for the World Music Series: Ukraine explores music for violin, clarinet, and piano, with a variety of musical selections representing the rich and diverse classical music culture of Ukraine! This year, we have invited an ensemble of three distinguished musical artists from the Ukraine, including: violinist, Solomia Soroka (recording artist and violin professor, Goshen College); clarinetist, Sergei Vassiliev (D’Addario Artist and Principal Clarinet of the Colorado Springs Philharmonic); and pianist, Angelina Gadeliya (Soloist, piano professor and coordinator of keyboard studies, University of Connecticut). All three are renowned professional musicians with prestigious appointments at universities and professional orchestras in the United States. In the past year, these three musicians have championed the music of their native Ukraine by performing throughout the US to raise awareness of the importance and distinctiveness of Ukrainian music, an inspiring and engaging body of musical literature.