Gentle Christmas Whisper

Concert-presentation of a new CD of piano music “Winter Whisper”
by the soloist of the Lviv National Philharmonic
Violina Petrychenko

Christmas is always full of magic, a time when we all wish for warmth, comfort and unforgettable memories. This year, we want Christmas to bring us peace and the most pleasant events. That is why our programme is imbued with quiet lyrics and inner depth.

At the beginning of the programme, we will perform two pieces from the magical cycle of songs called Songs of the Winter Night by Czech composer Vitezslav Novák. Here, the moonlit night and the fairy-tale Christmas atmosphere are intertwined in melodies that fascinate with their contrasts. Vasyl Barvinskyi, a student of Novak, created a unique cycle of arrangements of Ukrainian carols, presenting the audience with the grandeur and beauty of folk music.

The fairy tale, which is always so appreciated at Christmastime, opens up a world of wonder, magic and unexpected adventures, allowing us to forget about our daily worries and plunge into a gentle and kind world where every wish comes true. “Valentyn Silvestrov’s Fairy Tale is special for its gentleness, tenderness and kindness, revealing a unique artistic world that can warm our hearts and souls.

The programme also includes piano miniatures by Silvestrov’s friend, the outstanding Georgian composer Giya Kancheli. Their lyricism and sometimes childlike naivety add a special flavour.

Our programme ends with “Carol of the Bells” by composer Serhii Yushkevych, created especially for this recording. He is a brilliant musician, concert pianist and professor at the Department of Special Piano at the Kotlyarevskyi Kharkiv National University of Arts. This generous carol turns into an exquisite, virtuoso paraphrase that combines the ancient Ukrainian carol and the idea of an English version of the symbol of noisy and merry Christmas bells.

Artist:

• Violina Petrychenko, piano

Program:

• Mykola Silvanskyi (1916-1985). “At Night on the River”
• Vitezslav Novak (1870-1949). “Songs of Winter Nights”, op. 30
  • “Song of the Moonlit Night”
  • “Song of a Stormy Night”
  • “Song of the Christmas Night”
• Vasyl Barvinskyi (1888-1963). Piano cycle “Carols”
• Song in G minor
• Lullaby in E minor
• Valentyn Silvestrov (*1937)
  • “Fairy Tale” in C minor from the cycle “Naïve Music” (1954/1993)
  • “Five Melodies for the New Year (2004-2005)
• Giya Kancheli (1935-2019). Four miniatures from “Simple Music”
• Astor Piazzolla (1921-1992). “Ave Maria”
• Mykola Dremliuha (1917-1998). “Vesnianka”
• Serhii Yushkevych (1953). A paraphrase on “Shchedryk”

Moderator of the concert: Violina Petrychenko