In Reston, Virginia, the United Christian Parish of Ukraine hosted the 19th Anna & Friends benefit concert. The musicians, led by pianist Anna Balakerskaya, dedicated the evening to supporting Ukrainian refugee children living near the front line.
This was announced by the organizers of the event, Ukraine Aid, and the Musicians for Ukraine initiative.
The program featured works by Schubert, Brahms, Millau, Shostakovich, and Gershwin performed by Anna Balakerskaya (piano), Ricardo Cincinnates (viola, violin), Claire Eichhorn (clarinet), and Dasha Gabay (piano).
The concert gathered a full hall of classical music lovers and became the 19th in the series of charity performances “Musicians for Ukraine”, initiated since the beginning of the full-scale invasion of 2022 by pianist Anna Balakerskaya.
“It was wonderful! Many thanks to the organizers and participants, and to all those who were present. Thank you for supporting Ukraine!”, shared the impressions of the concert participant Tanya Denysenko.
According to the organizers, all funds raised will be directed to help children from frontline cities to prepare them for the new school year.
“It was an evening that gave hope, inspiration and solidarity. It turned out simply incredible,” Ukraine Aid summarized.
Background
Anna Balakerskaya is a three-time laureate of the “Best Concertmaster” diploma of the International Tchaikovsky Competition. She performed at Carnegie Hall, Teatro Colón in Buenos Aires, at the Center for J. Kennedy in Washington. Founder of the Anna and Friends concert series at George Mason University, co-founder of the Ensemble da Camera of Washington.
Ricardo Cincinates is assistant concertmaster of the National Symphony Orchestra (Washington), appointed by Mstislav Rostropovich. He has performed as a soloist with works by Mozart, Vivaldi, Sarasate, Saint-Saens, Sibelius, Paganini. He has performed in the United States, Europe and South America.
Claire Eichhorn is artistic director of the Ensemble da Camera of Washington. She has performed with the National Symphony Orchestra, the Kennedy Center Orchestra, the Baltimore Opera, the Washington Concert Opera and others.
Dasha Gabay has been a Levine Music instructor since 1999. She has performed at the Kennedy Center, Lyceum, Harris Theater (George Mason University), and other concert halls.
Video: Iryna Shamenko and Ukraine Aid
Author: Inna Mikhno