music

February 18, 2026

‘A cry of pain from every player’: the new reality of Ukraine’s musicians

As the war enters its fifth terrible year, Ukrainian musicians continue to fight for freedom with music-making that is urgent and vital

‘A cry of pain from every player’: the new reality of Ukraine’s musicians

TL;DR

  • Ukrainian composers and musicians are creating powerful works reflecting the war, such as Anna Korsun's 'Terricone' and Opera Aperta's 'Chornobyldorf.'
  • The war has led to scrutiny of Russian artists like conductor Valery Gergiev, resulting in the cancellation of performances and contracts outside Russia.
  • The Ukrainian Freedom Orchestra (UFO) is performing works like Beethoven's symphonies, sung in Ukrainian, as a symbol of hope and resistance.
  • György Kurtág, a Hungarian composer celebrating his 100th birthday, creates introspective and existential music, exemplified by his 'Játékok (Games)' and opera 'Endgame.'
  • Kurtág's music is characterized by its aphoristic nature, playfulness, and exploration of deep existential themes.

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