The Music of Ukraine

by Elysian Magazine

Ukrainian history is steeped in music and known as the birthplace of internationally renowned composers such as Sergei Prokofiev and Dimitri Tiomkin. Their legacy lives through a generation of new musicians whose work resonates around the world. They bring a vibrance and singularity to their performances—as do the four women we pay tribute to here.

ANNA FEDOROVA

“Gorgeous, poetic, delicate, and dynamic,” wrote Luister Magazine. “Fedorova’s strongly independent hands create a three-dimensional, textural perspective,” praised Gramophone Magazine. Her live recording of Rachmaninoff’s Second Piano Concerto at the Royal Concertgebouw attracted 33 million views. From an early age, Anna has been considered one of the world’s premier young pianists. Born in 1990 in Kiev, she had her national debut at the age of seven with the National Philharmonic Society of Ukraine and has since garnered numerous top prizes and performed her formidable repertoire around the world. She has recorded extensively and is currently the Artist in Residence at the Haarlem Philharmonie. See her perform on Youtube.


LOBODA

Svitlana Serhiivna Lobodo is one of Ukraine’s top female vocalists. She studied music from a young age. Today she is known simply as Loboda and is one of Ukraine’s most diverse and popular performing artists. In 2004, she formed S&A Music Group, Ltd. With Oleksandr Shykov, thus launching her solo career with her music video, “Cherno Belaya Zima” (“Black and White Winter”), followed by her debut album, “Ty Ne Zabudesh” (“You Won’t Forget”). See her perform on YouTube.


ANI LORAK

Karolina Myroslavivna Kuiek, known as Ani Lorak, is a Ukrainian singer, songwriter, actress, entrepreneur, and former U.N. Goodwill Ambassador. She is the recipient of the People’s Artist of Ukraine Award, one of the most prestigious honorary titles awarded by the Ukrainian government, and is considered one of the most powerful, influential women in her country, and one of the most beautiful in all of Europe. She performed her popular song, “Shady Lady,” at the 2008 Eurovision Song Contest and placed second. Today she is the highest-paid female singer in the Ukraine. Watch her perform “Verila” on YouTube.


VALENTINA LISITSA

Ukrainian-born Valentina began playing the piano at the age of three. She attended the Lysenko Music School and later, the Kyiv Conservatory, where she met her future husband, Alexei Kuznetsoff, who was also studying under Dr. Ludmilla Tsvierko. In 1991, the couple won first prize in the Murray Dranoff Two Piano Competition in Miami and that year, moved to the United States to further their careers. The made their New York debut at the Mostly Mozart Festival at Lincoln Center in 1996. Since then, they have recorded an album of Rachmaninoff concertos with the London Symphony Orchestra, and have performed and recorded separately, traveling the world. Listen to Valentina on YouTube.

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