Ukraine and Europe – Basel Sinfonietta

Description

Susanne Blumenthal, Conductor Basel Sinfonietta
Kristine Tjøgersen: “Between Trees” | CH
Anna Korsun: “In Another Room” | CH
Ezko Kikoutchi: “INOCHI 命” | World Premiere
Stefania Turkevych: Symphonic Poem “La Vita” | World Premiere
In cooperation with the Ukrainian Institute
With support from the Swiss Arts Council Pro Helvetia and the Fondation Nicati – de Luze
Shaped by diverse life paths and cultural backgrounds, four female composers take center stage in a significant program conducted by guest conductor Susanne Blumenthal. The focus on Ukraine is central to this program: The concert marks the beginning of a five-year collaboration with the Ukrainian Institute, which will highlight the work of persecuted Ukrainian composers from the Soviet era and provide a platform for young Ukrainian composers. The spotlight is on Stefania Turkevych, believed to be the first Ukrainian female composer, and her symphonic poem “La Vita” (1965). Turkevych lived from 1898 to 1977, studied in Berlin under Arnold Schoenberg and Paul Hindemith, wrote more than a hundred works—and was nearly erased from music history. After fleeing the Soviet regime to the West following World War II, her music remained banned in Soviet Ukraine for a long time. With this collaboration, the Basel Sinfonietta takes a stand on the issue of artists’ responsibility in times when freedom of expression is under pressure, and highlights the importance of artistic creation and sharing: For in the midst of war and conflict, art can be not only an expression but also a form of resistance, comfort, and a bridge. The contemporary counterpart to Turkevych is the Ukrainian composer Anna Korsun. Her 2016 work “In Another Space” for orchestra and smartphones conveys the experience of simultaneous closeness and distance—being in one place and perceiving something that seemingly belongs elsewhere. Far removed from technology, Norwegian composer Kristine Tjøgersen takes listeners on a sonic journey into the forest: “Between Trees” explores conversations among trees, the interconnections between flora and fauna, and the relationship between humans and nature. The program is rounded out by the world premiere of Ezko Kikoutchi’s “INOCHI 命” (Japanese for “Life”). The Japanese-Swiss composer approaches the question of the meaning of life in a personal way: “To live and to create music in the process—that is what matters most to me. To lose one’s way, to move forward, to rejoice, and sometimes to grieve and feel sorrow. […] When this precious life is woven into sound, how will it resonate in the hearts of those who listen?