August 17, 2 p.m.KHLIBNYA
Concert of Music by Leo OrnsteinRoman Repka (piano)
A pianist, researcher, and educator Roman Repka presents a new programme dedicated to the music of Leo Ornstein (1893–2002), an American composer of Jewish descent born in Ukraine.
Ornstein’s music remains little known even in the United States, let alone in other countries. Part of the reason lies with the composer himself: after reaching the heights of fame, he consciously stepped aside from public recognition, devoting himself to an inner artistic journey. This decision is especially striking when we compare the scale of his international fame as a composer and pianist in the early 20th century with his near-total obscurity in the decades that followed.
In recent decades — over the past 30–40 years — there have been waves of rediscovery and re-evaluation of his pioneering compositional ideas. And yet, the world may still need more time to fully grasp the scope of his unique artistic personality.
Returning to the opening statement, the third fact — “born in Ukraine” — is almost always overlooked by European and American scholars. But in the intricate, multinational fabric of Ornstein’s music, only a Ukrainian ear can recognize certain familiar intonations. Listeners frequently identify melodies and shades that resonate with Bukovynian, Hutsul, Galician, and Central Ukrainian traditions — a connection likely imperceptible to Western audiences. This is why, in Roman Repka’s view, bringing Ornstein’s works back to Ukrainian stages is essential for fully acknowledging his place in both Ukrainian and global musical heritage.
The solo piano programme of Leo Ornstein’s works presented here consists mostly of Ukrainian — and possibly even world premieres, as records of public performances of some of these pieces are nonexistent.
Programme:Tragic Prelude (1924)
A Moment of Reminiscence (c. 1950)
Allegory (c. 1918)
Six Watercolors (1921)
Burlesque (1976)
To a Greek Amphora
Nos. 3–4 from the cycle Four Legends (1960–1982)
Nos. 5–6 from the cycle Six Diary Pieces (1988)
Solitude (1978)
In a Chinese Style (c. 1918)
Kyiv premiere of the full programme
Performer:Roman Repka, piano
FREE ENTRY TO THE EVENT with a valid entrance ticket to the Saint Sophia of Kyiv museum complex (UAH 400 – full ticket, UAH 200 – discounted). Combat veterans do not need to purchase a ticket.