Valentin Silvestrov: Maidan (CD)

With Maidan, Valentin Silvestrov continues his longstanding association with ECM and this time presents a programme of choir music that is as timely as it is dear to the Ukrainian composer’s heart. Like the albums Sacred Songs and Sacred Works, Maidan embraces Silvestrov’s composing for vocal ensemble and captures the Kyiv Chamber Choir under Mykola Hobdych in an impassioned performance at the St. Michael’s Cathedral in Kyiv from 2016. Silvestrov, who in spring 2022 had to leave his Kyiv home of over half a century, composed “Maidan 2014”, a ‘cycle of cycles’, in the wake of the ‘Euromaidan’ – the wave of demonstrations that hit Ukraine in 2014. Replete with liturgical passages and verses by Ukrainian poet Taras Shevchencko, Maidan offers a wealth of melodies with both hymnal and chant-like structures. In the CD’s liner text, Silvestrov points out how “it’s no accident that the symbolic crown and ending of the “Maidan 2014” cycle is a quiet lullaby. For I’m neither able nor willing to duplicate the noise of this terrible war. Instead, I want to show how fragile our civilisation is. I try, with my music, to safeguard and preserve a day of peace.” The album is released as Silvestrov turns 85.

TRACK LIST

MAIDAN 2014 (CYCLE OF CYCLES) - CYCLE I
National Anthem
And glory, mountains blue, to you
Give rest, O Christ, to thy servant
MAIDAN 2014 (CYCLE OF CYCLES) - CYCLE II
National Anthem
Lacrimosa
Holy God
MAIDAN 2014 (CYCLE OF CYCLES) - CYCLE III
National Anthem
The Lord’s Prayer
Requiem aeternam
Agnus Dei
MAIDAN 2014 (CYCLE OF CYCLES) - CYCLE IV
National Anthem
Elegy
Prayer for Ukraine
National Anthem
Lullaby
FOUR SONGS
The Mighty Dnieper
On earth there is fortune
A cherry grove
My Legacy
DYPTYCH
To little Mariana
Psalm (The Mighty Dnieper)
TRYPTICH
Oh shining world
Come to your senses
Alleluia