Under the bright lights, the Lviv National Philharmonic Orchestra of Ukraine takes the stage at a recent performance as part of a 40-day American tour. As principal conductor Theodore Kuchar readies, he notices a sea of Ukrainian flags and a sense of unity within the American audience.
Kuchar feels the applauses at every performance, often witnessing heavy emotions from the audience who acknowledge the growing tensions between Russia and Ukraine. On Feb. 24, 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine — escalating the war between the two nations. Since the invasion, at least 42,000 people have died and approximately 14 million people have been displaced, according to Reuters.
While the tour continues to evoke strong feelings, the century-old Ukrainian orchestra will take the stage to perform classic compositions of composers Johannes Brahms and Jean Sibelius at the Lehman Center for the Performing Arts in the Bronx on Sunday.
A feeling of nostalgia and prestige takes over for Kuchar as he returns to New York. Performing at venues like Radio City Music Hall, Carnegie Hall and The Lehman Center, Kuchar hopes to change the narrative surrounding Ukraine through powerful performances. Over the decades, he says there’s been a negative view of the country, often one seen as a victim of oppression. However, his mission is to change that perception and put Ukraine on a pedestal as a world cultural power and highly credible country. With every performance, he feels that acknowledgment.
“As the orchestra walks on stage, you see people who have small Ukrainian flags in their pockets, they immediately start stomping,” he says. “It’s more than just a reaction to what we do musically. You feel that there is a very intense but somewhat hidden political energy and motivation behind that applause.”
Kuchar, 58, formerly served as the artistic director and principal conductor of two of Europe’s leading orchestras, the National Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine and the Janacek Philharmonic Orchestra. Some of his accolades include the BBC Record of the Year, Chamber Music America Record of the Year and a Grammy nomination for Best Instrumental Album.
Born in the lower east side to immigrant parents who left Ukraine after World War II and growing up in Queens, he says his parents placed high pressures and demands for success. For Kuchar, that meant being successful in classical music. Going to violin lessons on Saturdays and continuously practicing every day after school became the norm for this Ukrainian American conductor growing up. At 16, he says the practices, which he saw as his biggest enemies, became his greatest passions. He recalls as a teenager shoveling driveways and delivering newspapers to buy classical recordings and sheet music.
“It was a complete transformation,” he says. “It’s funny how life goes in a great circle.”
During this six-week tour, the Lviv National Philharmonic Orchestra of Ukraine will take the stage at some of the biggest stages across the nation. At some venues, including the Lehman Center, it will be the first time a Ukrainian orchestra will play there, Kuchar says. These historical milestones only add to his list of accomplishments.
“Many people expect this to be a pity tour, but in actual fact, we were brought here as a result of a distinguished recording history during the past several years,” he says. “We were brought here as a competitive, credible, international institution. To know that you are being assessed and listened to on that level is extremely gratifying.”
As the countdown begins for their performance at the Lehman Center, one person eager to witness the performance is the Executive Director of the Lehman Center Eva Bornstein. For every season, gathering a setlist of performers takes at least a year in advance, she says. However, the pandemic halted all of that. Originally planned to perform in 2019 before Russia’s invasion, the orchestra’s performance was forced to be postponed due to the pandemic. Now with the war, Bornstein says it added another level to the performance.
“Music and the arts, when you are under an extremely difficult situation, bring out the love and bring out a lot of good things,” she says. “It unites people. This is the national orchestra of Ukraine, so the professional level is very high … the pure music itself is very moving. But then when you add the sympathy we feel for Ukrainians, it adds another dimension to the concert.”
The performance will hit close to home for Bornstein. Born in Kraków, Poland, she recalls living through a communist government. Growing up, she remembers living under Russian occupation, often living in fear of speaking against the country. When Russia invaded Ukraine, she says all the memories of her upbringing reappeared.
“Our sympathy for Ukraine right now is huge,” she says. “Personally, it’s very dear to my heart. I know exactly how they feel. You feel love for these people and you want to support them.”
The performance will mark a milestone as it becomes the first time a Ukrainian orchestra will perform at the institution, which was founded over 40 years ago.
“It’s making history — a Ukrainian orchestra during this time of war you’re creating something positive,” says Bornstein.
The Lviv National Philharmonic Orchestra of Ukraine will perform at the Lehman Center on Feb.19 at 4 p.m.. Tickets can be purchased here.
Reach Nicholas Hernandez at hernandezn714@gmail.com. For more coverage, follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram @bronxtimes
