What Does Our Independence Sound Like? To mark the 35th anniversary of Ukraine’s Independence, the Ukrainian Live Classic team presents 35 works that tell the story of Ukrainian classical music – from iconic masterpieces and world premieres to forgotten composers whose music is being rediscovered today.
These 35 years of Independence have finally allowed Ukrainian music to be heard without restrictions. We take yellowed manuscripts off the shelves to bring long-forgotten works back to life, while remarkable new compositions continue to be written and premiered today.
The Ukrainian Live Classic media platform – with articles about composers, a YouTube channel featuring professional recordings, and the largest online library of sheet music – supports the revival and development of Ukrainian classical music.
This symbolic selection of 35 works is an invitation to discover the treasures of our musical heritage. To make exploring them easier, we have grouped the works into thematic sections.
The Ukrainian Live Classic media platform – with articles about composers, a YouTube channel featuring professional recordings, and the largest online library of sheet music – supports the revival and development of Ukrainian classical music.
This symbolic selection of 35 works is an invitation to discover the treasures of our musical heritage. To make exploring them easier, we have grouped the works into thematic sections.
WHEN THE ORGAN SPEAKS: FROM SILENCE TO COSMIC HEIGHTS
1. Viktor Kaminskyi – Leopolis Concerto Grosso for Organ and String Orchestra:
A heartfelt declaration of love for Lviv and a dedication to Maestro Myroslav Skoryk. This work creates a musical bridge between the distant past and the present, where the majestic organ merges with the city's vibrant and unpredictable pulse.
2. Mykola Kolessa – Prelude and Fugue:
The composer's debut work for the organ. The serenity of the prelude and the energy of the fugue unfold in a masterfully crafted musical narrative, brought to life in a virtuosic performance by the Belgian organist Peter Van de Velde.
3. Oleksandr Honobolin – Concerto for Organ and Strings:
A heartfelt dialogue between two musical forces, leading from dramatic tension to a state of profound inner peace.
4. Valentyn Bibik – Concerto for Organ and Orchestra:
Music that takes flight. Here, the organ carries the listener from earthly silence into the infinite vastness of the cosmos.
5. Viktor Telychko – Fantasia Cadenza:
A true embodiment of freedom. From quiet melancholy to a confident sense of moving forward, this music feels like a breath of fresh air.
6. Ivan Ostapovych – Symphony No. 2:
A deeply contemplative work. The perfect choice when you want to pause, close your eyes, and listen to the silence within.
7. Oleksandr Rodin – Requiem for the Future for Organ and Soprano:
This is not a lament for the past but a musical warning for the future. The voice and organ come together to create a powerful drama about humanity's responsibility for our planet. Despite its serious title, the work is filled with light and hope, and its finale sounds like a heartfelt plea for peace.
8. Leonid Hrabovskyi – STR-O(r)GAN:
Immerse yourself in a remarkable sonic universe, where German virtuoso Jacobus Gladziwa pushes the expressive possibilities of the organ into almost mystical dimensions, creating an extraordinary sense of immersion.
SYMPHONIES THAT ENERGIZE
9. Volodymyr Sokalskyi – Symphony in G Minor:
A celebration in music. From soulful violin melodies to the explosive final Kozachok, this is music that fills you with energy.
10. Stefania Turkevych – Symphony No. 1:
A bold symphonic manifesto by Ukraine's first woman composer, where European elegance meets the warmth and lyricism of the Ukrainian musical tradition.
11. Anatolii Kos-Anatolskyi – Piano Concerto:
A musical journey into the Carpathian Mountains, where every chord breathes with mountain air and the spirit of Ukrainian folk song, brought to life in a heartfelt performance by Oleksandr Kozarenko.
12. Roman Simovych – Piano Concerto:
Bright, elegant music in an outstanding performance by Maria Krushelnytska, where piano and orchestra blend into a single musical voice.
13. Mykhailo Skorulskyi – Piano Concerto:
A sweeping, passionate work that waited decades to be heard – a true "fifth ocean" of Ukrainian classical music.
14. Borys Kudryk – Symphony in E Minor:
Music written in a concentration camp, yet radiant with extraordinary light and an unwavering belief in the triumph of beauty.
15. Roman Prydatkevych – Symphony No. 3 "Western Kentucky":
A remarkable discovery in which American landscapes meet the Ukrainian soul – a masterful blend of majestic mountains, golden fields, and a touch of Hollywood charm.
16. Myroslav Skoryk – Hutsul Triptych:
Carpathian legends brought to life through the music written for Sergei Parajanov's legendary film Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors. From the stillness of the mountains to the exhilaration of an untamed dance.
17. Oleksii Bezborodko – Symphony of Indomitability:
An honest musical reflection on our own time – from the pain of loss to an unbreakable faith in victory.
18. Zoltan Almashi – Symphony No. 3 "Victorious":
A vivid musical portrait of the present day, culminating in magnificent fanfares of hope.
CHAMBER MUSIC FOR THE SOUL
19. Maksym Berezovskyi – Sonata for Violin and Harpsichord:
The composer is often called the "Ukrainian Mozart," and for good reason. His music radiates lightness, elegance, and grace. Listening to this sonata feels like stepping into a ballroom of the Classical era, where every melody enchants with its beauty and refinement.
20. Vasyl Barvinskyi – Piano Sextet:
A work with a remarkable story, worthy of a novel – from the loss of the original score to its reconstruction from memory. Folk-inspired melodies unfold in a whirlwind of emotions, from the reflective Dumka to the exhilarating Kolomyika.
21. Bohdana Frolyak – Sounds of Pinzel:
A musical echo of Johann Georg Pinzel's extraordinary sculptures, where stone seems to come alive. This is mystical, delicate, and deeply visual music. As you listen, you can almost see the sculptor breathing life into his figures, transforming cold marble into living emotion.
22. Levko Revutskyi – Prelude No.3, Op. 4 for Piano:
A musical confession that speaks directly to the heart without words. It begins with quiet restraint and profound depth before unfolding into a powerful surge of emotion that lingers long after the music ends.
23. Viktor Kosenko – Eleven Etudes in the Form of Ancient Dances:
An elegant journey into the world of grand ballroom dances, where the composer revives the rhythms of long-forgotten dance traditions.
24. Borys Liatoshynskyi – Ukrainian Quintet:
Written during the Second World War while the composer was living in evacuation, this work pours pain and hope into music with remarkable emotional honesty. Be sure to hear this strikingly modern composition and discover how powerfully it still speaks to us today.
25. Mykola Lysenko – The Wide Dnipro Roars and Moans:
Taras Shevchenko's legendary words became one of the enduring symbols of Ukraine's resilience. We recommend the performance by Pavlo Hunka – a deeply dramatic interpretation in which nature and the human spirit become inseparable.
26. Ostap Nyzhankivskyi – O, Do Not Forget (Art Song):
Experience the sincerity of the Galician art song tradition in Lilia Kostruba's performance. This is exceptionally intimate and delicate music that touches the deepest strings of the soul.
27. Denys Sichynskyi – Indian Summer (Babyne Lito):
Exquisitely tender vocal lyricism. This very romance once captivated audiences in performances by the legendary Solomiya Krushelnytska.
28. Mykola Leontovych – Shchedryk:
More than a piece of music, Shchedryk has become the world's unofficial Christmas anthem. Behind its apparent simplicity lie twenty years of painstaking work by a composer who created a masterpiece from just four notes. We encourage you to explore several interpretations – from Oleksandr Koshyts's legendary historical recording to contemporary versions by Nadiia Velychko (organ) and Yurii Laniuk (chamber orchestra).
29. Vsevolod Zaderatskyi – Chamber Symphony:
Music by a composer who survived political repression. Beneath its outward vitality lies the tragedy of a life profoundly shaped by persecution, where every rhythmic fracture echoes the struggle against an oppressive system. Listen to the deeply personal voice of a remarkable artist.
30. Oleksandr Shchetynskyi – Music of Kharkiv:
A musical portrait of Kharkiv, where elegiac moods intertwine with dramatic introspection. The spirit of freedom pulses throughout the work, alongside reflections on time, memory, and resilience.
UKRAINIAN STAGE: STORIES THAT COME TO LIFE
31. Mykhailo Verbytskyi – Pidhiriany (Musical Play):
A nineteenth-century bestseller that blends European elegance with the spirit of Ukrainian folk tradition in a compelling story of love, power, and human dignity.
32. Porfyrii Bazhanskyi – Dovbush (Melodrama) and The White Gypsy (Opera):
These remarkable rediscoveries are true musical detective stories. Carpathian legends of the opryshkys intertwine with gripping human dramas, offering a fascinating new perspective on Ukrainian opera.
33. Oleksandr Kozarenko – The Passion (Oratorio):
Imagine a meeting between sixteenth-century music and a modern orchestra. Kozarenko achieves something extraordinary: he breathes new life into ancient sacred melodies, making them dramatic, immediate, and deeply relevant to contemporary audiences.
34. Yevhen Stankovych – Passion According to Taras (Oratorio):
An immensely powerful musical revelation in which biblical imagery meets Shevchenko's famous call: "Fight – and you shall prevail!" This work reflects the drama of Ukrainian society, the collapse of old ideals, and the search for a true path to freedom.
35. Kyrylo Stetsenko – Matchmaking at Honcharivka (Operetta):
Recharge your spirits with this delightful musical comedy. It is a heartfelt story of love in which two young people stand up for their happiness and ultimately triumph. Warm, life-affirming music that leaves the listener with optimism and a smile.
1. Viktor Kaminskyi – Leopolis Concerto Grosso for Organ and String Orchestra:
A heartfelt declaration of love for Lviv and a dedication to Maestro Myroslav Skoryk. This work creates a musical bridge between the distant past and the present, where the majestic organ merges with the city's vibrant and unpredictable pulse.
2. Mykola Kolessa – Prelude and Fugue:
The composer's debut work for the organ. The serenity of the prelude and the energy of the fugue unfold in a masterfully crafted musical narrative, brought to life in a virtuosic performance by the Belgian organist Peter Van de Velde.
3. Oleksandr Honobolin – Concerto for Organ and Strings:
A heartfelt dialogue between two musical forces, leading from dramatic tension to a state of profound inner peace.
4. Valentyn Bibik – Concerto for Organ and Orchestra:
Music that takes flight. Here, the organ carries the listener from earthly silence into the infinite vastness of the cosmos.
5. Viktor Telychko – Fantasia Cadenza:
A true embodiment of freedom. From quiet melancholy to a confident sense of moving forward, this music feels like a breath of fresh air.
6. Ivan Ostapovych – Symphony No. 2:
A deeply contemplative work. The perfect choice when you want to pause, close your eyes, and listen to the silence within.
7. Oleksandr Rodin – Requiem for the Future for Organ and Soprano:
This is not a lament for the past but a musical warning for the future. The voice and organ come together to create a powerful drama about humanity's responsibility for our planet. Despite its serious title, the work is filled with light and hope, and its finale sounds like a heartfelt plea for peace.
8. Leonid Hrabovskyi – STR-O(r)GAN:
Immerse yourself in a remarkable sonic universe, where German virtuoso Jacobus Gladziwa pushes the expressive possibilities of the organ into almost mystical dimensions, creating an extraordinary sense of immersion.
SYMPHONIES THAT ENERGIZE
9. Volodymyr Sokalskyi – Symphony in G Minor:
A celebration in music. From soulful violin melodies to the explosive final Kozachok, this is music that fills you with energy.
10. Stefania Turkevych – Symphony No. 1:
A bold symphonic manifesto by Ukraine's first woman composer, where European elegance meets the warmth and lyricism of the Ukrainian musical tradition.
11. Anatolii Kos-Anatolskyi – Piano Concerto:
A musical journey into the Carpathian Mountains, where every chord breathes with mountain air and the spirit of Ukrainian folk song, brought to life in a heartfelt performance by Oleksandr Kozarenko.
12. Roman Simovych – Piano Concerto:
Bright, elegant music in an outstanding performance by Maria Krushelnytska, where piano and orchestra blend into a single musical voice.
13. Mykhailo Skorulskyi – Piano Concerto:
A sweeping, passionate work that waited decades to be heard – a true "fifth ocean" of Ukrainian classical music.
14. Borys Kudryk – Symphony in E Minor:
Music written in a concentration camp, yet radiant with extraordinary light and an unwavering belief in the triumph of beauty.
15. Roman Prydatkevych – Symphony No. 3 "Western Kentucky":
A remarkable discovery in which American landscapes meet the Ukrainian soul – a masterful blend of majestic mountains, golden fields, and a touch of Hollywood charm.
16. Myroslav Skoryk – Hutsul Triptych:
Carpathian legends brought to life through the music written for Sergei Parajanov's legendary film Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors. From the stillness of the mountains to the exhilaration of an untamed dance.
17. Oleksii Bezborodko – Symphony of Indomitability:
An honest musical reflection on our own time – from the pain of loss to an unbreakable faith in victory.
18. Zoltan Almashi – Symphony No. 3 "Victorious":
A vivid musical portrait of the present day, culminating in magnificent fanfares of hope.
CHAMBER MUSIC FOR THE SOUL
19. Maksym Berezovskyi – Sonata for Violin and Harpsichord:
The composer is often called the "Ukrainian Mozart," and for good reason. His music radiates lightness, elegance, and grace. Listening to this sonata feels like stepping into a ballroom of the Classical era, where every melody enchants with its beauty and refinement.
20. Vasyl Barvinskyi – Piano Sextet:
A work with a remarkable story, worthy of a novel – from the loss of the original score to its reconstruction from memory. Folk-inspired melodies unfold in a whirlwind of emotions, from the reflective Dumka to the exhilarating Kolomyika.
21. Bohdana Frolyak – Sounds of Pinzel:
A musical echo of Johann Georg Pinzel's extraordinary sculptures, where stone seems to come alive. This is mystical, delicate, and deeply visual music. As you listen, you can almost see the sculptor breathing life into his figures, transforming cold marble into living emotion.
22. Levko Revutskyi – Prelude No.3, Op. 4 for Piano:
A musical confession that speaks directly to the heart without words. It begins with quiet restraint and profound depth before unfolding into a powerful surge of emotion that lingers long after the music ends.
23. Viktor Kosenko – Eleven Etudes in the Form of Ancient Dances:
An elegant journey into the world of grand ballroom dances, where the composer revives the rhythms of long-forgotten dance traditions.
24. Borys Liatoshynskyi – Ukrainian Quintet:
Written during the Second World War while the composer was living in evacuation, this work pours pain and hope into music with remarkable emotional honesty. Be sure to hear this strikingly modern composition and discover how powerfully it still speaks to us today.
25. Mykola Lysenko – The Wide Dnipro Roars and Moans:
Taras Shevchenko's legendary words became one of the enduring symbols of Ukraine's resilience. We recommend the performance by Pavlo Hunka – a deeply dramatic interpretation in which nature and the human spirit become inseparable.
26. Ostap Nyzhankivskyi – O, Do Not Forget (Art Song):
Experience the sincerity of the Galician art song tradition in Lilia Kostruba's performance. This is exceptionally intimate and delicate music that touches the deepest strings of the soul.
27. Denys Sichynskyi – Indian Summer (Babyne Lito):
Exquisitely tender vocal lyricism. This very romance once captivated audiences in performances by the legendary Solomiya Krushelnytska.
28. Mykola Leontovych – Shchedryk:
More than a piece of music, Shchedryk has become the world's unofficial Christmas anthem. Behind its apparent simplicity lie twenty years of painstaking work by a composer who created a masterpiece from just four notes. We encourage you to explore several interpretations – from Oleksandr Koshyts's legendary historical recording to contemporary versions by Nadiia Velychko (organ) and Yurii Laniuk (chamber orchestra).
29. Vsevolod Zaderatskyi – Chamber Symphony:
Music by a composer who survived political repression. Beneath its outward vitality lies the tragedy of a life profoundly shaped by persecution, where every rhythmic fracture echoes the struggle against an oppressive system. Listen to the deeply personal voice of a remarkable artist.
30. Oleksandr Shchetynskyi – Music of Kharkiv:
A musical portrait of Kharkiv, where elegiac moods intertwine with dramatic introspection. The spirit of freedom pulses throughout the work, alongside reflections on time, memory, and resilience.
UKRAINIAN STAGE: STORIES THAT COME TO LIFE
31. Mykhailo Verbytskyi – Pidhiriany (Musical Play):
A nineteenth-century bestseller that blends European elegance with the spirit of Ukrainian folk tradition in a compelling story of love, power, and human dignity.
32. Porfyrii Bazhanskyi – Dovbush (Melodrama) and The White Gypsy (Opera):
These remarkable rediscoveries are true musical detective stories. Carpathian legends of the opryshkys intertwine with gripping human dramas, offering a fascinating new perspective on Ukrainian opera.
33. Oleksandr Kozarenko – The Passion (Oratorio):
Imagine a meeting between sixteenth-century music and a modern orchestra. Kozarenko achieves something extraordinary: he breathes new life into ancient sacred melodies, making them dramatic, immediate, and deeply relevant to contemporary audiences.
34. Yevhen Stankovych – Passion According to Taras (Oratorio):
An immensely powerful musical revelation in which biblical imagery meets Shevchenko's famous call: "Fight – and you shall prevail!" This work reflects the drama of Ukrainian society, the collapse of old ideals, and the search for a true path to freedom.
35. Kyrylo Stetsenko – Matchmaking at Honcharivka (Operetta):
Recharge your spirits with this delightful musical comedy. It is a heartfelt story of love in which two young people stand up for their happiness and ultimately triumph. Warm, life-affirming music that leaves the listener with optimism and a smile.
Perhaps this collection will become your first step into the world of Ukrainian classical music.
Would you like to hear them all? We have brought these works together in a specially curated playlist. Find it in the Ukrainian Live Classic app or follow the link: http://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLVvwjvlM5BWU.
Would you like to hear them all? We have brought these works together in a specially curated playlist. Find it in the Ukrainian Live Classic app or follow the link: http://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLVvwjvlM5BWU.
Text: Tetyana Liteplo
Posted in Periodical