Spain will become closer

Concert “Spanish Music: from Classics to Flamenco” will be held at the National Philharmonic Society of Ukraine on April 29. The author of this artistic project is Alisa Smarychevska – well-known pianist, laureate of international contests, associate professor at National Music Academy of Ukraine. It will be the night of discovering (two premieres will be presented) and of getting to know captivatingly passionate music performed by virtuosos. By the way, at the Classical Music Festival “Siversk Music Nights” that was recently held in Chernihiv Smarychevska together with Marianna Chuklia (violin), Yulia Bilousova (cello), and Valeria Tulis (soprano) successfully presented a whole bouquet of Spanish melodies to the audience. Now they, though with a different lineup, present the new program to the Kyiv audience.

Alisa SMARYCHEVSKA told The Day: “Within the framework of the project ‘Spanish Music: from Classics to Flamenco’ there will be presented the program dedicated to Spanish culture unique for our country. I am very pleased the audience liked the program fragments presented at the ‘Siversk Music Nights.’ On April 29 at the Mykola Lysenko Column Hall there will be the premiere of music by famous Spanish composers Gaspar Cassado (Trio for Violin, Piano, and Cello) and Joaquin Turina (trio Circula). Turina is an outstanding representative of the Spanish school of music of the first half of the 20th century, who continued the traditions of Renacimiento. His music is imbued with national spirit, he uses rhythmic and tone elements of Andalusian folk music, and folk music-making simulation techniques. Turina’s compositions are characterized by the rhythmic music writing master skill, polytonal system, rich and original harmony, free melody, and harmony of form.

“Performance of the famous violinist Yurii Kharenko (US) as well as dancing presented by the Flamenko ensemble (led by Olha Ostroverkh) will be the gift for the audience. The cycle Tonadillas for voice and piano by Enrique Granados (voice part by Valeria Tulis) as well as songs by the Muse of the writer Ivan Turgenev opera star of the 19th century Pauline Viardot will most certainly impress the audience. This Spanish lady was a very talented woman, she composed music (her songs ‘Ai-Liuli’ and ‘Girls of Kadiks’ will be performed at our concert), and taught vocal. Perhaps not everyone knows that Viardot was the prototype of the heroine of the novel Consuelo by George Sand. I am sure that the audience will be impressed with Habanera and Seguidillas by Enrique Fernandez Arbos for the trio (cello performed by Yulia Bilousova).

“I wanted to make a program so that the audience would get acquainted with the music pieces which are either little known or not known at all around here. It is a pity that today Spanish music is rarely heard in Ukraine. But as our country is moving to Europe, I would like our audience to know more of the Spanish sparkling music art. At our concert the Flamenko ensemble will perform the Andalusian Gypsies’ dancing and I together with my colleagues: Yurii Kharenko (violin), Yulia Bilousova (cello), and Valeria Tulis (soprano) will present classical masterpieces of Spanish composers. I am thankful to Yurii Kharenko for supporting our project. He is the former member of the Leontovych Quartet (1983-2000) and Honored Artist of Ukraine. In 2001 Kharenko performed the world premiere of the Third Violin Concerto written for him by Myroslav Skoryk. Now Kharenko teaches at the Conservatory in Hartford, Connecticut. Since 1991 this musician lives in America. He participates in such prestigious festivals as ‘Mainly Mozart’ Newport, Texas, music, mountains, and also Moscow Autumn, Kyiv, Victoria (Canada), and Sao Paulo (Brazil).”

When we speak about Spanish music we often imagine it being performed on a guitar and castanets, but at this concert passionate melodies will be performed primarily on classical instruments: violin, piano, and cello. However, Smarychevska promised that they will have castanets and guitar will be playing for the performance of the Flamenko ensemble. The audience will see real flamenco! Let us remind the reader that flamenco is a traditional musical and dancing style originating from Andalusia (Spain), it is a fusion of musical accompaniment (toque), singing (cante), and dancing (baile). The style is represented by several dozens of variations (over 50). Songs and dances of flamenco are usually accompanied by guitar and percussion: rhythmic handclaps (palmas), playing on a percussion box (cajon), sometimes with castanets. Flamenco artists are called “bailaores” (dancer), “cantaores” (singers), and “tocaores” (guitar player). Flamenco has had a great influence on many dance and music styles around the world. In the past decades there appeared mixed varieties of flamenco and other styles: flamenco pop, flamenco jazz, flamenco rock, Gypsy rumba, and others. This concert can be called a musical journey around Spain.