Ukraine’s top composer is rescued

Ukraine’s top composer is rescued

News

norman lebrecht

March 09, 2022

The conductor Andrey Boreyko has posted a picture of the evacuation yesterday from Ukraine of the senior composer Valentin Silvestrov.

The people who got him out are journalists from Deutsche Welle, in coordination with the pianist Alexei Lubimov.

Silvestrov, 84, is seen in a car entering Poland. We understand he is moving on to another European country.

How terrible that an artist of such achievement and great age should be subjected to such stress.

Comments

  • Wonderful news! my congratulations to all people who is involved in his rescue. At the last post of SD I have listened to some minutes of his beautiful Hymn 2001 -thanks Mr Lebrecht!!. How could we rent the piece, rehearse it and play it? thanks in advance . DSA

  • Jean says:

    Knowing his deep love for Ukraine, I cannot even imagine what kind of deep personal tragedy this is for him. My thoughts have been with Valentyn ever since this madness started.

  • J Barcelo says:

    I’m pleased to hear this news – I can’t imagine how he feels right now. What a horrible way to spend one’s twilight years – exiled from home because of evil politicians. Last evening I tried to listen to his stunning 5th symphony, but it was unbearable; the powerful music is too evocative of the events unfolding in Ukraine. Does anyone know about the status of Theodore Kuchar?

  • Peter San Diego says:

    I’ve always admired the artistry of Alexei Lubimov; now I can add to it my admiration of his humanity.

    My thoughts are with Mr. Silvestrov; may he find a safe and comfortable haven, even if it will never be a home.

  • Don Osborne says:

    I received this note today from Alexei Lubimov:

    Yes, we many friends of Silvestrov in Ukraine, Russia, Slovakia, Poland , France and Germany could help to organize transports, information on the way, security and accomodation with a great help of Deutsche Welle journalists and private people. We are happy he and his daughter are safe.

    This is terrible what’s going on in Ukraine – and in Russia too, there many people are leaving the country being against the war, and many others suffer in the absence of independent information .

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