The Klavierhaus Concert Hall in New York City hosted the Music for Ukraine Charity Concert, an evening of jazz and contemporary classical music that brought together world-class musicians in support of Ukraine. The event attracted a sold-out audience as well as a large online audience. In total, the event raised over $3.5 thousand for the Liberty Ukraine Foundation in the United States, which distributes aid directly to those in need in Ukraine.
This was reported by exhibition and musician Oleksiy Pryrodnyi.
The evening's programme included music by Ukrainian composers Fedir Yakymenko, Oleksandr Rodin, Iryna Oleksiychuk, Valentyn Silvestrov and Faina Lushtak. The main musical event was the premiere of a work by American composer Martin Kennedy, a piano trio based on the Ukrainian national anthem. The concert also featured jazz improvisations and Ukrainian folk songs.
The concert features an all-star cast: Lara St. John (violin), Julian Milkis (clarinet), Pavlo Gintov and Matt Herskovitz (piano), Valeria Sholokhova (cello), Oleksiy Pryrodnyi (jazz piano), Paige Su (vocals) and Karisa Klapouschak (flute, vocals, violin), who performed Ukrainian and original music.
"In addition to raising funds, it was important for us to 'sound' Ukrainian music from the stage in New York," said pianist and jazz improviser Oleksiy Pryrodnyi.
The evening ended with warm words of thanks from the organisers, artists and representatives of the Liberty Ukraine Foundation. The concert was not only an important step in cultural diplomacy, but also proof that music is a powerful tool of solidarity.
Author: Inna Mikhno