COMING SOON: Vivere String Quartet: Prayer for Ukraine
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Vivere String Quartet
“Maria’s City (Mariupol)”
Composer Zoltan Almashi
Vivere String Quartet
“Expressions”
Composer Hannah Havrylets
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ALBUM INFORMATION
TITLE: Prayer for Ukraine
ARTISTS: Vivere String Quartet: Anna Bura and Dmytro Lysko, violins; Ustym Zhuk, viola; Dmytro Nikolayev, cello
TRACKS:
1. Maria’s City (Mariupol) (2022). Composer: Zoltan Almashi (1975 - )
2. Prayer Composer: Vasyl Barvinsky
String Quartet (1935) Composer: Vasyl Barvinsky (1888 - 1963)
3. Largo
4. Scherzo: Allegro Grazioso
5. Andante
6. Allegro Moderato
7. Carpathian Song (2019). Composer: Zoltan Almashi
8. To Mary. (2019). Composer: Hanna Havrylets
9. Expressions. (2004) Composer: Hanna Havrylets (1958 - 2022)RECORDED: The Hub, Edinburgh on the 10th & 11th March 2023.
CREDITS:
Recorded by Leslie Ann Jones at Skywalker Sound, a Lucasfilm LTD company, Marin County, CA.
Assistant Engineer: Robert Gatley
Edited by Leslie Ann Jones and Robert Gatley.
Produced by Lesley Robertson and Stephen Prutsman
Mastered by Michael Romanowski
Graphic design: Dmytro Yarynych
Album art: Kataryna Zhovta
SUMMARY: Original compositions by Ukranian composers, telling stories of Ukraine past and present, as masterfully recounted by a premiere Ukrainian string quartet. They include Zoltan Almashi’s “Maria’s City (Mariupol)”, telling of the vibrant city that was devastated by a 3 month siege by Russian forces in 2022, and “Expressions” by composer Hannah Havrylets, who died from lack of medical care in the 3rd day of the invasion.
All proceeds from this album will be donated to non-profit organizations providing relief efforts in Ukraine.
MUSIC WITH A MISSION: All proceeds will be donated to non-profit organizations proving relief efforts in Ukraine.
FACT SHEET: Vivere String Quartet’s “Prayer for Ukraine” tells stories from the country through original music by Ukrainian composers, and raises funds for war relief
Coming soon
Vivere String Quartet: Anna Bura and Dmytro Lysko, violins; Ustym Zhuk, viola; Dmytro Nikolayev, cello
Vivere String Quartet at Bing Concert Hall, Stanford University (USA), 2023
ARTIST BIO & STATEMENT
The Vivere String Quartet (Anna Bura & Dmytro Lysko, violins; Ustym Zhuk, viola; Dmytro Nikolayev, cello) is an internationally acclaimed Ukrainian ensemble that brings to the world the music of contemporary Ukranian composers as well as masterworks of the classical chamber music tradition and everything in between. Founded in 2010 by students of the Lviv National Music Academy, the Vivere String Quartet quickly rose to national prominence, winning numerous awards and accolades including grand prize at the All-Ukrainian Chamber Ensemble and Quartet Competition (Lviv., 2013) and first prize at the V. Povzun All-Ukranian Chamber Ensemble Competition (Odesa, 2014). Their exquisitely lyrical style paints stories, whether of love, loss, darkness, light, war and peace, with a broad palette ranging from heart-rending poignancy to explosive tension to transcendent calm. The Quartet has played in Ukraine at Lviv National Philharmony, the historic Mirror Hall in Lviv National Opera, and the prestigious “Virtuosos 40” international music festival of 2021, and internationally throughout North America and Europe. The Vivere Quartet has recorded Ukrainian composer Ivan Karabyts’ String Quartet with Golka Records and Brahms Quintet with Dzhmil Records; “Prayer for Ukraine” with Phenotypic Recordings showcases stories from Ukraine by Ukrainian composers.
“Freedom is not granted; it is earned through the tireless efforts of those who dare to dream of a better tomorrow or at least “tomorrow”. The pursuit of liberty demands our collective strength and solidarity. Freedom is a priceless endeavor, often achieved through unimaginable sacrifices and resilience. Now, more than ever, Ukraine needs your unwavering support! Together, let us amplify our voices and prayers, advocate for justice, and work towards a world where the flame of freedom burns bright for all. ~ Vivere String Quartet
PHENOTYPIC RECORDINGS STATEMENT
“Prayer for Ukraine" embodies a profound tribute to the resilience and spirit of the Ukrainian people, conveyed through the evocative and heartbreakingly poignant compositions of esteemed Ukrainian composers, as brilliantly interpreted by the renowned Vivere String Quartet. This musical odyssey delves into the intricate tapestry of Ukraine's history, capturing the essence of its people, their triumphs, their sorrows, and the harrowing destruction wrought by the Russia-Ukraine war which started in 2014 and led to the full-scale Russian invasion in February 2022. The toll on Ukraine has been immeasurable, with tens of thousands losing their lives and millions displaced, sparking Europe's gravest refugee crisis since World War II.
The album includes “Marias’s City”, an homage to the city of Mariupol which was devastated by the Russian siege, composed by Zoltan Almashi from a bomb shelter in Kyiv, and two works by Hannah Havrylets who died from lack of medical care on the third day of the invasion. Also present is Vasily Barvinsky's “String Quartet”, which radiates with exuberant Ukrainian folk melodies and rhythms, infusing the music with a celebration of the indomitable spirit that defines the Ukrainian ethos.
During the production of this album, members of the Ukrainian creative team worked with unwavering dedication even while undergoing displacement, bombings, and separation from family members. The musicians embarked on a perilous journey by bus through Ukraine to Poland in order to travel to and from the United States to record this album. Their efforts exemplify the enduring commitment of the Ukrainian people to preserve their homeland and culture undeterred by any adversity.
"Prayer for Ukraine" stands as a beacon of courage and is a testament to the strength of all Ukrainians. Through this music, we see the fortitude of a nation, the unshakable commitment of its artists to the beauty of their culture, and the undying flame of hope for freedom. Phenotypic Recordings is honored to support these artists in sharing their message with the world, with all proceeds from the album dedicated to relief efforts in Ukraine.
~ Stephen Prutsman, Phenotypic Recordings
EXCERPT FROM LINER NOTES
By Derek Katz, Associate Professor of Musicology, University of California at Santa Barbara
“Maria’s City, by Zoltan Almashi (b. 1975) was composed in 2022, directly in response to the invasion of Ukraine. Almashi has written that he “felt that the music inside of him had died,” but he resolved to write a piece dedicated to the destroyed and occupied city of Mariupol. Composed in Kyiv bomb shelters, Mary’s City was first conceived for two cellos (Almashi is a highly accomplished professional cellist as well as a composer), and transcribed for string quartet at the request of this ensemble. The piece moves from an opening section of poignant beauty to a more tender passage that betrays its origins as a duet. A furiously defiant middle section rises to a climax and catastrophically collapses. The open material reassembles itself from fragments, and moves to a gentle conclusion, with only a distant echo of the defiant fanfares.
In the case of Hanna Havrylets (1958-2022), the composer herself was a victim of the Russian invasion, dying on the third day of the war, reportedly due to the inaccessibility of medical care during the hostilities. Expressions (2004) is a marvel of efficiency, conjuring up a nuanced and varied emotional journey from the merest scraps of materials. Nearly all of the piece is constructed from two very short ideas. The first is a simple three-note figure that goes up and back down, animated through syncopation and an expressively dissonant grace note. This shard is eloquent, but ends where it begins. The other idea, in strong contrast, consists of a single note that is repeated in ever-faster motion. This acceleration creates the sense of direction missing from the first idea, while lacking its mournful affect. The two ideas are introduced and combined, rising to an emotional high point that gives way to a mysterious section with the players bowing near the bridge to produce a spooky, nasal sound. Another process of exposition and combination leads to a serene ending, with the first violin playing high above a bed of open strings enhancing a C major chord….”