Musicians from Ukraine’s Lviv Philharmonic Orchestra have been performing outdoors during the war.
“A day after Russia began its invasion of Ukraine, violinist Marta Krechkovsky stayed behind after a rehearsal with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra [to record] ‘Melody,’ an aching, solemn tune that, along with Ukraine’s national anthem, is setting hearts aflame around the globe as musicians perform in solidarity with the besieged,” writes Jeremy Reynolds in Tuesday’s (3/15) Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. “Krechkovsky … grew up in Ivano-Frankivsk, a city in Ukraine’s western region…. On March 2, Krechkovsky and other members of the PSO recorded ‘Prayer for Ukraine,’ [and are] playing it at live concerts as well.… Many leading orchestras and choirs [are playing the Ukrainian national anthem]…. This invasion is far from the only conflict in recent years to see music play a key role. During Hong Kong’s 2019 protest of Chinese authoritarianism, an anonymous composer penned a ‘national anthem’ that swept the nation and world…. It’s difficult to quantify the impact of music in times of crises. But it plays an important … role in raising awareness and promoting solidarity.” The article includes links to the Pittsburgh Symphony’s performance of “Prayer for Ukraine” and the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra and Chorus performing the Ukrainian national anthem. Said Krechkovsky, “I honestly have tears each time I hear orchestras and musicians play [Ukraine’s] national anthem.”
