Expressions was written by Ukrainian composer Hannah Havrylet, who tragically died from lack of medical care on the third day of the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
The Vivere Quartet comprises violinists Anna Bura and Dmytro Lysko, violist Ustym Zhuk and cellist Dmytro Nikolayev. Together,they bring audiences music from contemporary Ukrainian composers, as well as masterworks of the classical chamber music tradition.
The production of this album saw members of the Ukrainian creative team work unwaveringly even while undergoing displacement, bombings, and separation from family members.
’To record this album, we had to travel by bus to Poland to fly to the US because the civilian airspace in Ukraine is closed,’ said the quartet.
’This journey was uneasy and strenuous. It was unknown how safe it would be, as transportation systems including bus and train stations are targeted by rocket attacks, and bombs reach even into Poland. The borders are clogged, and it can take ten hours to cross, often more. We did this trip twice, first for the visa, then for the flight. Then we had to return the same way.
’We persevered because our mission was to communicate our feelings, and those of the composers and our entire nation – our sorrow and pain, but also our joy, love and determination. In music, we can express what we cannot say in words.
’When the war first started, we stopped playing music. But we realised music is important. Currently it is hard to even complete a concert, because bomb alerts often sound and everyone must evacuate. But people continue to come to concerts because it gives them renewal and hope. Music makes ours a culture of joy and hope, love and solidarity, and strength that will never give up.’
The label, Phenotypic Recordings, has pledged that all proceeds from the album will be donated to Revived Soldiers Ukraine, which provides medical assistance to Ukrainian soldiers
Prayer for Ukraine is out now.
Read: In loving memory of my grandfather, who gifted me his violin: Dmytro Lysko
Read: ‘The voice of a generation’ - Young Ukrainian musicians: Fighting for the future
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