Concert 'Polovyi and Polova' Revives the Creativity of Repressed Composer Valerii Polovyi

In the heart of Ukraine's capital, Kyiv, a remarkable concert entitled 'Polovyi and Polova' is scheduled to unfold, promising to be a pivotal occasion for admirers of classical music and Ukrainian culture. This event is dedicated to the revival of the artistry of Valerii Polovyi, a composer whose works were overshadowed for many years due to the Stalinist repressions he faced. The concert will also highlight the contributions of his daughter, Viktoriia Polova, who stands as one of the most distinguished contemporary Ukrainian composers.

The concert program will unite two generations of composers: alongside the works of Valerii Polovyi, attendees will have the opportunity to enjoy the music of his daughter, Viktoriia. This event serves as a chance for many to discover the creativity of Viktoriia's father, who, despite facing immense hardships, remained loyal to his art. Valerii Polovyi, who spent 25 years in labor camps, composed music even under the most challenging conditions, using cement bags as sheet music.

The concert will feature Polovyi's String Quartet No. 2 and the Concerto for Two Violins with Orchestra. These pieces were composed during his imprisonment, imbuing them with a unique emotional depth. Viktoriia Polova recalls that her father created music in the camp, often working at night, a testament to his indomitable spirit and dedication to his craft.

Viktoriia Polova's compositions will also hold a significant place in the program. Her piece Missa brevis, written in the year of her father's death, resonates as a musical prayer-requiem, while 'Illuminated Sorrow,' created during the war, intertwines personal experiences with reflections on contemporary events. Viktoriia describes her father as a man with a complex yet resilient fate, stating: 'He endured war, an orphanage, camps, and mines, but returned to music. I believe he triumphed over fate.'

Irina Budanska, the founder of the cultural center 'Dom Master Class,' emphasizes the importance of this concert: 'This will be a unique concert 'Liberated Music: Polovyi and Polova.' We know and love the works of Viktoriia Polova, but here we will have the opportunity to discover the music of her father — a talented composer who continued to write even in the camps.' Event curator Viktoriia Zubenko adds that this will be the first performance in Ukraine of Valerii Polovyi's music, which has not been heard for nearly half a century, and this revelation of the composer’s figure is a crucial step in reclaiming forgotten names.

Violinist Bohdana Pivnenko also highlights the significance of this project, noting, 'We are involved in an extraordinarily important project. Everyone knows the names of Alla Horska, Vasyl Stus, Ivan Svitlychnyi, Les Kurbas, and many other repressed and murdered artists. It is time to bring back to the stage the name of composer Valerii Polovyi — the father of Viktoriia Polova.' Double bassist Nazar Stets adds that Polovyi's music is mature European music of the 20th century, and the composer meticulously crafted every detail, akin to a true disciple of Liatoshynskyi.

This concert is part of the 'Liberated Music' project, which aims to decolonize the Ukrainian cultural space and restore names that have been erased from historical memory. The concert is scheduled for April 9, supported by the cultural center 'Dom Master Class' and featuring the National Ensemble of Soloists 'Kyivska Kamerata' under the baton of Keri-Lynn Wilson (USA-Canada), the children's choir 'Shchedryk' under the artistic direction of Marianna Sablin, as well as soloists Bohdana Pivnenko, Kyrylo Bondar, and Myroslava Kotorovych.