| Yuri Yakovych
Ishchenko (b. 1938 in Kherson) is one of Ukraine's foremost
contemporary composers. He is a professor of composition and
orchestration at the Tchaikovsky National Academy of Music in the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv, a
position he has held for four decades. His long-standing
achievements have been
acknowledged with several state honours and awards. Ishchenko's unique creative style spans many genres, from operas, symphonies and concerti to numerous chamber works that include trios, quartets, quintets, sonatas and piano suites, as well as vocal and choral works. His music expands on the rich legacy and traditions left by composers Boris Lyatoshynsky and Andriy Shtoharenko, both of whom were Ishchenko's teachers. Up to now relatively unknown in the west, Ishchenko's work has begun to attract greater interest and visibility, thanks in part to the positive response expressed by North American critics. Several of his piano works were recorded and released in 2007 by Ms. Dolnycky on the CD Poetic Moods. Sonata No. 6, titled "In modo classico," was originally written for oboe and piano in 2000, and was revised for violin and piano by the composer two years later. Inspired by 18th century sonata form, this lighthearted and spirited work is a fine representation of the neoclassical compositional style. January 24 will mark the premiere performance of this sonata outside Ukraine. |