Ukraine National Symphony Orchestra launch tour in the West Country
Launching their biggest tour in a century, the orchestra from the war-torn country has travelled for the past two days to Bath, where they'll be performing tonight
Classical music fans across the West Country are set to be wowed tonight in Bath, as the National Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine kick-off their 17-day tour of the UK.
This is their first visit to the UK in over 20 years, and is their biggest list of tour dates in 100 years.
The 98-strong orchestra, who have been practicing in their home city of Kyiv, have travelled via Austria, to get here - taking a plane from Vienna to London, as there are currently no flights taking off from Ukraine.
Over the past few months, they have been making their final preparations ahead of the Bath Forum welcoming them tonight.
The aim of the tour is to raise money for the orchestra, and to raise awareness of Ukrainian culture.
They'll be only performing Ukrainian music in their programme of music. Conducted by Volodymyr Sirenko, they will be playing:
- Boris Lyatoshynsky - Grazhyna Symphonic Picture
- Max Bruch - Violin Concerto No 1
- Jean Sibelius - Symphony Number 1
The organisation is one of the oldest and most significant cultural institutions in Ukraine, and is recognised as one of the finest symphony orchestras in Eastern Europe.
As part of its efforts to fight the war 'on the cultural front', amid Russia's conflict with Ukraine, the NSOU has chosen the UK for its biggest single-country tour, as their recognition of the significance of the UK's support of the country during the conflict.
Back in September, it was also confirmed the NSOU has also been invited to the House of Commons to meet with the Speaker, Sir Lindsay Hoyle, and other senior Parliamentarians.
The UK Home Office has also agreed to waive thier visa fees.
The repertoire for the performance at the Forum has been carefully selected by the orchestra to resonate with the country’s current situation.
Todd Wills, artistic director of Bristol Beacon, said: “We can’t wait to welcome Ukraine’s national symphony orchestra to the UK and present their opening night performance. This historic tour is an opportunity to show that the people of the UK support them and recognise the importance of Ukrainian culture and we hope to see a huge local audience welcoming them.
"The Forum is a beautiful setting for this concert, and it will be an incredibly special and poignant evening.”
Alexander Hornostai, NSOU managing director and producer, said: “We are excited to return to the UK for the first time in 22 years and we are deeply grateful to the UK government, the 17 tour venues and UK tour promoters enabling this ambitious tour to take place.
“We are fighting for the recognition of Ukrainian culture all over the world.
"Ukraine is not Russia; Ukrainian music is not Russian. It is special, original, self-sufficient, and beautiful. We have renounced all Russian music and art without hesitation – by replacing it with Ukrainian music we are trying to crystallize a sense of pride for Ukraine and the Ukrainian people.
“We feel emotional every time we perform now as we convey what is in our hearts through music.
"On the one hand, there is pain, sadness, suffering, and on the other hand, faith in the victory of Ukraine and the prosperous future of our country. We have had to learn to live for today, in the present moment.”
Mary Harrison, head of UK touring at IMG Artists, said: “As war rages on and Ukraine's culture continues to be systematically targeted and destroyed by Russia, the National Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine hasn’t faltered in its mission to bravely continue showcasing Ukrainian symphonic music and demonstrate that it is more than deserving of the elite status that Russian music has held for so long.
“This tour is a unique and significant opportunity for Ukrainian musicians to wrestle the spotlight from Russia, with a UK-wide platform to showcase some of Ukraine’s most talented and renowned musicians. We’ve already had great interest in the concerts and we are delighted to be supporting the orchestra and working in partnership with all 17 concert venues to ensure an absolute sell-out success.”
As well as providing a UK-wide platform for the orchestra, the NSOU tour is also fundraising to support the group, and the continuation of Ukraine’s rich musical culture.
A Just Giving appeal with a target of £24,000 has been set up by the tour promoters, IMG Artists, and is being promoted by all 17 concert venues.
You can find out more about their tour here and you can make a donation to their Just Giving page here.