The Weill Recital Hall of the legendary Carnegie Hall in New York hosted the gala concert of the finalists of the third Ukrainian Music Competition - a large-scale cultural event that annually brings together young performers, teachers, diplomats and representatives of the Ukrainian community in the United States.
This was reported by Young Performers Foundation, Постійне представництво України при ООН / Perm Mission of Ukraine to the UN and the Consulate General of Ukraine in New York..
30 performers, 42 performances, over 3.5 hours of music
The event was organized by UNWLA in partnership with the Young Performers Foundation and became one of the key Ukrainian music events of the year in the United States.
The gala evening was attended by 30 laureates of the competition - young musicians from the United States, Canada, Europe and Ukrainians who found refuge from the war in the United States. The program lasted over three and a half hours and included 42 performances – from the youngest participants to already established performers of international level.
The concert covered a wide range of instruments and formats: piano (solo and ensemble performances), violin, cello, clarinet, bandura, percussion instruments, as well as vocal and chamber ensembles.
Ukrainian music – from classics to modernity
The program was entirely focused on the Ukrainian musical repertoire. The works of Mykola Lysenko, Myroslav Skoryk, Levko Revutsky, Viktor Vasyl Barvinsky, Mykola Leontovych and others were performed, as well as contemporary Ukrainian composers and arrangements of folk melodies.
The gala opened with the National Anthem of Ukraine by Mykhailo Verbytskyi performed on the piano by Pavlo Gintov, which set a distinct symbolic and artistic tone for the evening.
The gala concert was officially opened by Andriy Melnyk, Permanent Representative of Ukraine to the UN. In his address, he emphasized the importance of returning Ukrainian classical music to the world cultural map and restoring historical justice to Ukrainian composers who have been ignored or appropriated for decades.
The Ambassador also recalled an event that had taken place a few weeks earlier: the installation of a facsimile of the score of Mykola Leontovych’s “Shchedryk” in the Carnegie Hall Hall of Fame – a work that was first performed there in 1922. This move was the result of cooperation between the Ukrainian Institute, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, the diplomatic mission in New York, and American partners, including Razom for Ukraine.
“So, step by step, Ukrainian diplomacy is restoring historical memory, returning the national cultural heritage to the stage of one of the most prestigious philharmonics in the world. This fantastic concert with the participation of talented Ukrainian youth at the Weill Recital Hall in Carnegie Hall became a serious step towards restoring historical justice and promoting domestic virtuosos of classical music,” – noted in the Permanent Mission of Ukraine to the UN.
Participation in the gala concert of representatives of the Permanent Mission of Ukraine to the UN and the Consulate General of Ukraine in New York emphasized the role of culture as an element of modern diplomacy. Music in this context has become a tool of international dialogue, which allows us to talk about Ukraine not only in the language of politics, but also in the language of art.
""What an unforgettable evening! The third annual All-Ukrainian Music Competition is a celebration of Ukrainian music, talent, and cultural pride. The powerful sense of unity in the hall reminded us how deeply Ukrainian music resonates around the world,” added в the Consulate General of Ukraine in New York.
Educational and Cultural Mission of the Competition
The Ukrainian Music Competition was launched by the framework of allies Oksana Sorochan and Oksana Konyk as a long-term platform to support young performers, popularize the Ukrainian academic repertoire, and integrate Ukrainian music into the global competition and concert context.
“Ukrainian classical music has enormous power. For decades, it was suppressed and muffled by the Russian regime, but it still speaks directly to people who know nothing about Ukraine. At a time when our country is fighting for its existence, I felt a responsibility to let the world hear our culture – not explained or protected, but simply heard,” Oksana Konyk said about the idea of creating the competition.
According to the organizers, the competition not only promotes the professional growth of participants, but also forms a lasting connection between young musicians and Ukrainian cultural identity, regardless of their country of residence.
“This competition is my contribution to our common struggle for cultural survival. We honor the “Completed Renaissance”, composers such as Mykola Leontovych, Vasyl Barvinsky, Volodymyr Ivasyuk, as well as modern martyrs such as Yuriy Kerpatenko. By bringing this music to Carnegie Hall, we reclaim our history and our voice. These young musicians do more than just play notes – they ensure the preservation of a prestigious, vibrant, and vibrant Ukrainian culture for future generations,” added Oksana Sorochan.
The concert confirmed that Ukrainian music is alive, competitive, and capable of performing at the most prestigious venues in the world.
“Moved by the incredible love for Ukrainian music. I sincerely believe that music is a divine language: it makes us feel life and unity like nothing else can,” Oksana Sorochan summed up the event.
“I am honored to be part of this project, and I am grateful to everyone who supports and strengthens this mission – to return our heritage to the world art space, where it belongs. Art carries heritage further than any argument,” Oksana Konyk summed up. – повернути нашу спадщину до світового мистецького простору, де їй і належить бути. Мистецтво несе спадщину далі, ніж будь‑який аргумент”, – резюмувала Оксана Коник.
Photo: Young Performers Foundation
Author: Inna Mikhno