One of the most important goals of the Ukrainian Live strategy is to return and promote forgotten Ukrainian composers, especially those who lived abroad. Symphony No. 3 “West Kentucky” is the second release of music by Roman Prydatkevych, the composer of the American diaspora. We are especially proud to present the work performed by Lviv musicians, at the end of 2020 as part of the "Symphonic Premieres" project. Prydatkevych's Third Symphony is dedicated to the region in the United States of America, where the outstanding violinist, composer and teacher lived and worked, besides, it was performed for the first time in his homeland! The musical score was kindly provided by the well-known grandson of the musician, the American-Ukrainian conductor Theodore Kuchar.
Symphony No. 3 was performed for the first time by the orchestra of Murray State College, professor of which Roman Prydatkevych was for many years, and was performed under the direction of conductor Richard Forell (to whom the piece is dedicated). The third symphony is the only symphony, which does not feature an emphasized national Ukrainian theme. The other three are subtitled "Independence of Ukraine", "Poplar" (based on Taras Shevchenko's poem), and "About Hetman Mazepa". Such proximity is determined by the biography of the composer - an ardent patriot and an emigrant at the same time.
Even in the Third Symphony, dedicated to America, the composer outlined ties with his native country. After all, this is a Ukrainian's view of the beauty of western Kentucky. It is amazing how this region resembles the nature of Ukraine: here are the forested mountains of the Appalachians, mysterious like our Carpathians, and endless steppes, which have long been owned by Indian tribes, as brave as the Cossacks, and golden meadows, sown with wheat and sunflowers. It was the picturesque landscapes that inspired Prydatkevych to create his fantastic music. Here high professionalism in combination with bright musical and visual images creates an original and powerful effect. It is an organic synthesis of the large-scale multi-layered symphony (the influence of Richard Strauss and Aaron Copland can be traced) and Ukrainian songs of the 20th century, the firstborns of Indian musical culture and Hollywood charm, a combination of calm and contemplation with dynamism and epicness. In the score for a large orchestra, everything is impeccably organized and thought out (the composer uses many additional notations and notes), and the orchestration is very bright and, frankly, shining due to the rich sound of brass instruments.
The symphonic cycle is represented by three parts: I. Allegro moderato, II. Andante poco sostenuto and III. Andante sostenuto – Allegro poco vivace. Intermediate tempo markings and internal agogics determine the continuity and dynamism of musical thought. Thus, either kaleidoscopic or cinematic pictures appear before the eyes, which fascinate and activate the listener's imagination.
Symphony No. 3 by Roman Prydatkevych is music about the value of being and the colors of our life, about love for everything that surrounds us. The nature around us - whether in Ukraine or the USA - is extremely beautiful and diverse. It is nature that is the source of strength, inspiration, peace, and harmony, and this must be remembered. Prydatkevych's lively and positive, major and poetic symphony is a real discovery and treasure of Ukrainian music.
Symphony No. 3 was performed for the first time by the orchestra of Murray State College, professor of which Roman Prydatkevych was for many years, and was performed under the direction of conductor Richard Forell (to whom the piece is dedicated). The third symphony is the only symphony, which does not feature an emphasized national Ukrainian theme. The other three are subtitled "Independence of Ukraine", "Poplar" (based on Taras Shevchenko's poem), and "About Hetman Mazepa". Such proximity is determined by the biography of the composer - an ardent patriot and an emigrant at the same time.
Even in the Third Symphony, dedicated to America, the composer outlined ties with his native country. After all, this is a Ukrainian's view of the beauty of western Kentucky. It is amazing how this region resembles the nature of Ukraine: here are the forested mountains of the Appalachians, mysterious like our Carpathians, and endless steppes, which have long been owned by Indian tribes, as brave as the Cossacks, and golden meadows, sown with wheat and sunflowers. It was the picturesque landscapes that inspired Prydatkevych to create his fantastic music. Here high professionalism in combination with bright musical and visual images creates an original and powerful effect. It is an organic synthesis of the large-scale multi-layered symphony (the influence of Richard Strauss and Aaron Copland can be traced) and Ukrainian songs of the 20th century, the firstborns of Indian musical culture and Hollywood charm, a combination of calm and contemplation with dynamism and epicness. In the score for a large orchestra, everything is impeccably organized and thought out (the composer uses many additional notations and notes), and the orchestration is very bright and, frankly, shining due to the rich sound of brass instruments.
The symphonic cycle is represented by three parts: I. Allegro moderato, II. Andante poco sostenuto and III. Andante sostenuto – Allegro poco vivace. Intermediate tempo markings and internal agogics determine the continuity and dynamism of musical thought. Thus, either kaleidoscopic or cinematic pictures appear before the eyes, which fascinate and activate the listener's imagination.
Symphony No. 3 by Roman Prydatkevych is music about the value of being and the colors of our life, about love for everything that surrounds us. The nature around us - whether in Ukraine or the USA - is extremely beautiful and diverse. It is nature that is the source of strength, inspiration, peace, and harmony, and this must be remembered. Prydatkevych's lively and positive, major and poetic symphony is a real discovery and treasure of Ukrainian music.
Text: Victoriia Antoshevska
Translated into English by Taras Demko
Translated into English by Taras Demko