August 17, 8 p.m.Stage
“White Bouquet”Closing Concert of the Bouquet Kyiv Stage Festival
Nikoloz Rachveli – music director and chief conductor of the legendary Georgian Philharmonic Orchestra with its century-long history, as well as composer, pianist, and UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador in Georgia – is well known to Ukrainian music lovers. He not only has a deep understanding of Ukrainian music but also actively initiates the creation of new works. For instance, he commissioned well-known bayanist Ihor Sayenko to orchestrate two of his chamber compositions. Another Ukrainian composer frequently performed by Rachveli, Viktoriia Poliova, will be represented at the festival’s closing with a fragment from her opera Eter (“The Infinite Island”).
The program includes two major anniversaries: this year marks the 90th birthday of both Estonian composer Arvo Pärt and the Georgian genius Giya Kancheli. Both will be honored with exceptional pieces. Pärt will be represented by one of his early compositions, written before he developed his signature minimalist style — Collage on the Theme B-A-C-H, based on a 10-tone series beginning with the notes B–A–C–H. Kancheli will be featured with Chiaroscuro, a piece named after the Renaissance painting technique that emphasizes dramatic contrasts of light and shadow. Additionally, his beloved and widely recognized music for film and theatre will be performed.
Another highlight of the evening is contemporary Lithuanian composer Arvydas Malcys, whose approach resembles that of classical masters, focusing on absolute music. Gifted with a refined ear, Malcys explores the timbral possibilities of instruments, imbuing his Concerto grosso with a rich sonic poetry.
Program:Arvydas Malcys (1957):Concerto grosso for two cellos and string orchestra
Viktoriia Poliova (1962):Oh, Happiness from the opera Eter (“The Infinite Island”) for voice and chamber orchestra
Arvo Pärt (1935):Collage on the Theme B-A-C-H for strings, oboe, harpsichord, and piano
Ihor Sayenko (1978):Serenades for Halyna for bayan, piano, and chamber orchestraWhy for bayan, piano, and chamber orchestra
Usein Bekirov (*1982):
"Dedication" to Bogdana Pivnenko for violin and strings, piano
Giya Kancheli (1935–2019):Chiaroscuro for violin and chamber orchestraMusic for films and theatrical productions(for voice, violin, accordion, and chamber orchestra; orchestrated by Nikoloz Rachveli specially for Bouquet Kyiv Stage 2025)
Performers:Bohdana Pivnenko – violinMaryana Holovko – voiceIhor Sayenko – accordionArtem Zamkov – celloOlya Zhukova – celloNikoloz Rachveli – piano, conductorNational Soloists Ensemble Kyivska Kamerata
FREE ENTRY TO THE EVENT with a valid entrance ticket to the Saint Sophia of Kyiv National Reserve grounds (UAH 400 – full price, UAH 200 – discounted). Combat veterans do not need to purchase an entrance ticket.