Reactions from Ukraine

While Ukraine, as a nation, has received unprecedented global media attention over the past two years, perhaps less has been said of the worlds of the millions that have been shattered or forever changed with the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Come join us for a special evening and experience the emotional reactions of several Ukrainian musicians, poets, and an artist to violence and war in Ukraine. The Dzherelo Choir, from Ukrainian Center Utah, will be sharing their voices, bringing part of the Ukrainian culture and soul with them. The musical program will feature folk and pop songs from the Carpathian mountains; chants from Slavic monasteries; and works of Ukrainian classical composers, including Myroslav Skoryk, Borys Lyatoshynsky and Leo Ornstein. Poetry from two Ukrainian bards will also be presented: the nineteenth-century Taras Shevchenko and modern-day Serhiy Zhadan, describing both the struggle but also their visions of a free Ukraine. Selections from the “Victory” series of the acclaimed Ukrainian artist Kateryna Kosianenko will be featured, documenting her personal reactions to events as they have unfolded over the past two years.

A light reception will follow the main program, giving audience members and performers a chance to mingle, reflect, and share their reactions with each other.

Due to the intense emotional nature of some of the content of this event, audience discretion is advised.

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Program

The artistic program sequentially depicts broad events of the last two years, from the terrifying, yet problematic, initiation of the full-scale invasion; the global outpouring of support that immediately followed; to the sadness and increasing bitterness at the scale of the devastation and loss when a quick victory in the South was not achieved. Finally, opportunity for reflection on what Ukraine once was and hope for a restored Ukraine in the future is given.

• Ще не вмерла України і слава, і воля [Ukrainian National Anthem] Dzherelo Choir
• Sergey Prokofiev: Piano Sonata no. 7, Allegro inquieto (incomplete) Christopher Chapman
• Myroslav Skoryk: “Melody” Hugues Herpin Lemonnier (violin), Sam Moore (cello), Kristene Murrow (violin), Tessa Urie (viola)
• Mykola Lysenko: Elegy op. 41 no. 3 Sasha Kasman-Laude
• Artem Pivovarov: Думи [Thoughts] (based on Думи мої, думи мої, by Taras Shevchenko) Dzherelo Choir
• Waldo Frank: Prelude to the Poems of 1917 Dan Merkling
• Leo Ornstein: Poems of 1917 (selections) Christopher Chapman
  • I. No Man’s Land
  • II. Sower of Despair
  • VI. A Dirge in the Trenches
• Vasyl Symonenko: «Ти знаєш, що ти — людина?» Tetiana Shakhoval
• Natalia Tsupryk: A Quiet Night/Tyhoyi Nochi [Тихої Ночі] Jeremy Baer, director; Eric Anderson, Natalie Baer, Kerstin Beach, Katie Chapman, Shelley Comendant, Scott Harris, Heather Hopkins, Adellaide Nielson, Elias Nielsen, Marvin Palkki, Amya Parker, Grant Patterson, Chloe Phelps, Otto B Puhlmann, Cadence Rees, Elisabeth Williams, and Bri Wright
• Taras Shevchenko: «Сонце заходить, гори…» Tetiana Shakhoval
• Borys Lyatoshynsky: Prelude op. 38 no. 1 Christopher Chapman
• Valentin Silvestrov: 2 pieces (2001) Christopher Chapman
  • I. Night/Nacht (Benedictus)
  • II. Morning/Morgen (Sanctus)
• Taras Shevchenko: «І на оновленій землі…» Tetiana Shakhoval
• Borys Lyatoshynsky: Prelude op. 38 no. 3 Christopher Chapman
• Kвітка Душа [Kvitka Dusha] Dzherelo Choir

Prelude to Reception

• Art presentation Shawn Milne (Director of Regional Economic Development, Quality Growth & Intergovernmental Affairs, Bear River Association of Governments)
• Nikolai Kapustin: Concert Etudes for Piano op. 40 no. 6 “Pastorale” Elizabeth Johnson

Partners and Sponsors

A special thanks to:

• St. John’s Episcopal Church for the use of their beautiful venue.
• Cache Refugee and Immigrant Connection (CRIC) for connecting with us and offering their help so graciously!
• Square One Printing for donating marketing posters and printing the art.
• Great Harvest Bread for donating their delicious bread for the reception.
• Chick-fil-A for sponsoring the dinners for the performers between rehearsals and the performance.
• Plant Peddler for the beautiful, Ukrainian-themed flower arrangement.
• Oksana Maksymchuk for allowing us to exhibit her commentary on and translations of Zhadan's Four Recent Poems (from which Natalia Tsupryk took words for the haunting piece sung tonight).
• Kateryna Kosianenko and her agent Art Angel for generously allowing us to exhibit prints of a few of her paintings during the reception and to use her painting “Words” as the basis for the marketing posters and graphics.
• the many talented performers and other individuals who helped make this event successful, meaningful, and possible.