Kyiv Symphony Orchestra played an anti-war piece in the Old Royal Palace in Prague
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On September 3, the Kyiv Symphony Orchestra performed in the capital of the Czech Republic, in the Old Royal Palace, located in the historic Prague Castle. The musicians joined the solemn performance of the monumental anti-war work of the British composer Benjamin Britten “War Requiem”. The anti-war work in the Vladyslav Hall of the Old Royal Palace symbolically united Ukrainian and Czech artists. A total of 220 musicians participated: from the Prague Philharmonic, the Czech Philharmonic, the Kyiv Symphony Orchestra, as well as the Prague Philharmonic Choir, the Radist Children’s Choir, and international soloists under the baton of conductor Lukash Vasylko. Singers from Europe and the USA also joined. Ukrainian musicians performed in Prague. Photo: courtesy of Olga Tsyganyuk. The event was attended by the President of the Czech Republic, Petr Pavel, and the first dignitaries of the country. On the eve of the concert, a symbolic mass ringing of hundreds of Prague bells rang out in memory of the war victims. President Petr Pavel came to the speech. Photo: provided by Olga Tsyganyuk Petr Pavel noted that Benjamin Britten’s “War Requiem” was first performed in 1961 in the English city of Coventry in the cathedral, which was rebuilt after its destruction during the Second World War. The piece of the British composer Benjamin Britten “War Requiem” sounded in the ancient palace. Photo: provided by Olga Tsyganyuk “Unfortunately, the composer’s anti-war message is as relevant today as it was then. War has returned to Europe and is destroying homes, cities, and most importantly, human lives for the second year. It seems that history does not teach us its lessons automatically , so we must constantly work on the past and remember all its dark manifestations. Let us remember the victims of the Second World War, as well as those who suffer from war today. Let us remember our duty to stand shoulder-to- shoulder to shoulder with them in the struggle for the future of the whole of Europe,” said President of the Czech Republic Petr Pavel. Kyiv musicians became part of a big anti-war concert in the Czech Republic. Photo: Courtesy of Olga Tsyganyuk Read also: The Mariupol Chamber Philharmonic opened its season in Kyiv – the orchestra members received a standing ovation. The cult piece of music of the 20th century, a memory of two world wars, was heard live in the Czech capital for the first time in February this year, on the anniversary of the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine. 220 musicians joined the concert. Photo: provided by Olga Tsyganyuk “We remember this concert with warmth. It was an unforgettable experience from an artistic and human point of view. “Military Requiem” is not a composition for every day, but it has its place on large concert stages. It is a pity that it is performed so rarely “, Lukash Vasilek, chief conductor of the Prague Philharmonic Choir, comments on the event. Among the international soloists who participated in the performance of the requiem were: soprano Suzanne Berngard (Germany), tenor Kyle van Schoonhoven (USA) and baritone Arvid Fagerfjell (Sweden). The concert took place within the framework of the annual Prague Sounds festival. Read also: War and peace and opera. Can Ukraine de-Russify European scenes and in what way
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