Genevieve Pfister, Staff Writer—
Lviv National Philharmonic Orchestra of Ukraine, conducted by Theodore Kuchar, performed to a sold-out audience in Swasey Chapel on February 2nd as part of the Denison Vail Series. The performance is part of their U.S. tour, which began on January 13 and will continue through March 3rd. A few members of the symphony wore traditional dress from different regions of Ukraine and broke bread in a traditional Ukrainian ceremony. The Orchestra performed two symphonies, the first of which featured Myhailo Sosnovsky on flute, and a violin concerto featuring Vladyslava Luchenko on violin.
At intermission, Kuchar gave an impassioned speech about the war in Ukraine, describing how he went home one night and was woken at 4:20 in the morning when the alarms went off.
He explained how everyone in the orchestra was, in some way, involved in and impacted by the war in Ukraine, and thanked Americans for their military support.
The Vail Series will feature several more musical events this semester: More information can be found at https://denison.edu/series/vail. Tickets for events may be required.