Ukrainian Music Initiative Held First Performance in New York 

The Shevchenko Scientific Society in New York hosted the first concert of the Ukrainian Music Initiative (UMI). This event became a milestone in the popularization of Ukrainian classical music and its integration into the Western cultural space.

This was report by the Ukrainian Music Initiative.  

The first program titled "Introductions" featured cellist Valeria Sholokhova, pianist Pavlo Hintov and pianist Margarita Rovenska. They performed rare pieces by Ukrainian composers, as well as contemporary artists Olga Zaitseva-Hertz and Andriy Didorenko. 

The audience particularly enjoyed the unique musical combinations, and each piece was accompanied by a story about its history and context, which added a special emotional and personal touch to the program.

"It was a very pleasant and emotional evening. Our first program was called "Acquaintances". We introduced ourselves, our mission, and various musical collaborations: vocals and piano, cello and piano, four-handed piano, and an unusual combination of vocals, cello, and piano," said Pavlo Gintov, one of the band members. 

The UMI initiative aims to raise the profile of Ukrainian classical music in the Western music world. This concert was the first step in that direction, drawing a full house and positive feedback from the audience.

"The Ukrainian Music Initiative (UMI) is a collaboration of four independent artists - contralto Vira Slyvetska, cellist Valeria Sholokhova, and pianists Margarita Rovenska and Pavlo Gintov - each with a long history of dedication to Ukrainian music. They are joined in their mission by musicologist Leah Batstone and entrepreneur Alex Gamota. "The goal of the UMI is to elevate Ukrainian classical music to its rightful place in the Western canon and fill a significant void in the American cultural landscape - skilled and knowledgeable musicians of Ukrainian descent performing the breadth of Ukrainian classical music," the Ukrainian Music Initiative said.