Music as a symbol of hope and solidarity: This Saturday in Lviv (Lemberg), orchestra musicians from Dresden and Berlin will join colleagues from the Lviv National Philharmonic to perform a benefit concert for the Ukrainian people.
The program includes Robert Schumann’s Symphony No. 2, Thomas de Hartmann’s Violin Concerto, and a work by a Ukrainian composer, according to the organizers. Theodor Kucharenko will conduct. Violinist Andrej Tschaikowsky will perform as soloist.
“It is very important to us to show solidarity and send a message of hope during these difficult times,” said Andreas Dude, double bassist with the Elbland Philharmonic. He had launched the project on a private basis and found fellow musicians among his colleagues to join him. The musicians are taking just under a week of vacation for the trip. “We have an idea of the situation on the ground from pictures and reports, but we expect there to be emotionally moving moments,” Dude told the German Press Agency.
Dude pointed out the tense situation in Ukrainian orchestras. “Because many musicians are serving on the front lines, there is often a shortage of personnel to keep performances going,” he emphasized. In Lviv, courses are also planned for refugee children from eastern Ukraine who are currently staying in the western part of the country. The German Embassy is providing financial support for the project. It is covering the cost of the musicians’ train travel.
Donors are still being sought to help with accommodations, officials said. One oboist is even traveling in his own car to transport donations of musical instrument accessories to Lviv. “We are grateful to be able to contribute even a small, modest part to the relief efforts for Ukraine,” said Dude.
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