50 amateur pianists play CBS News for Ukraine
NewsThe indefatigable Polly Van der Linde has got her Ukraine project from Bennington, Vermont into prime time TV news.
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For those who would like to hear 3.5 hours of solo piano music by Ukrainian composers played by amateur pianists (and a few professionals), here is the archived video on YouTube with 65 different compositions.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M8bb-Wetcqs
We have raised over $93,000 through Ukraine Crisis Relief Fund on Global Giving. https://www.globalgiving.org/fundraisers/ukraine-benefit-piano-concert/
It’s been a very uplifting project for difficult and horrific times. The music certainly spoke to those who participated as they had to learn their pieces on very short notice.
Thanks so much for this.
I’d been doing my own research but you’ve obviously done much more! Sad that a war had to be the motivation.
Congratulations and thanks for the inspiration.
Silvestrov and his family are now refugees in my city.
Brava, Polly!
How wonderful to hear the variety of Ukrainian music represented and played from the soul!
This is an incredible achievement, musically and financially for the Ukrainian people. Kudos to Polly van der Linde for her team for this fantastic concert.
So awesome!
Thank you for a beautiful, heartfelt program. The Ukraine Piano Project has introduced us to stage worthy composers while raising a significant amount of money to aid the people. Congratulations to Polly van der Linde, her team and the pianists!
If there ever was a story about people expressing themselves through music for the good of the world, this is it. You can see that every pianist of all levels played their hearts out for the people of Ukraine. Thank you to Polly and all the participants. We need some good stories that remind us humanity still has heart.
Polly is indeed driven to make music a means of sharing, joining together and making the world a better place as a result. This project grew more and more each day, and became something much bigger than all of us the betterment of others. As I mentioned in the pitch to you – and thank you, truly, for bringing this to your global platform here – people of all abilities, ages, experience can indeed join as one to support worldwide causes to help in any situation. Personally, I am inspired by Polly and invigorated by her determination and enthusiasm in music and as stewards for making good things happen with our craft.
What a wonderful collection of Ukrainian piano music, and for such a worthy cause. Just reading the descriptions of what the aid organizations are doing for refugee families, the wounded, and those still trapped in the war breaks your heart. Also a masterful pairing of music with the different ability levels of those performing. Inspiring, beautiful, and generous. Bravo to all involved!
This project is wonderful on so many levels. You can listen to the performances all at once or dip in and out as time permits. You will hear some great music you’ve probably never heard before. Thanks to Polly for her spirited leadership and musicianship and to all the players.
This inspiring project is a heartfelt response to the sense of “What can I do?” when we are faced with terrible human suffering. Polly van der Linde brought together over 50 individuals who used what they know how to do—play the piano—to raise funds in support of Ukraine. More than 3 hours of beautiful music by Ukrainian composers are these pianists response to President Zelensky’s plea that we
« Fill the silence with music »
Thank you Polly for the wonderful program. I couldn’t tear myself away from the 3.5 hours of Ukrainian piano music performed by my piano family. Your efforts to bring comfort and hope the Ukrainian people are to be applauded.
WOw! What an amazing project and beautiful way to respond to this horrible war in Ukraine. Bravo to all who played and organized this!
An amazing concert. The Ukrainian music played was so beautiful and stirring.
This presentation is destined to remain in our hearts for so many reasons: a treasury of Ukrainian music and a joyful way to help out from afar. It was thrilling to participate.
Having grown up and studied music in Bennington, I have known Polly (and the remarkable van der Linde family) virtually my entire 6 decades. It is so wonderful – though not in the least surprising – to see her leading such an enlightened, grassroots tribute to humane ideals through music. The world would be an immeasurably better place with more Pollys (and fewer Putins)!
Awww, David! Thanks. Hope to see you in person soon. Love that you saw this story here while you were overseas. It’s been one of my most rewarding and heartwarming projects
A fabulous concert, in the name of solidarity and music for the people of Ukraine. Thank you, all, for your leadership, courage, musicality for the 3.5 hours. I loved it and I am grateful to be a part of such a group of people. The money raised will be so welcome and needed.
What an inspiring undertaking! All the musicians appeared deeply involved with their pieces. Thanks so much for creating this event!
50 + players streamed from
50+ locations all with 50+ different backgrounds, interests, skill. Yet ONE voice and ONE message of peace, hope and love for Ukraine delivered through music to share with the world . Gratitude to the yes “indefatigable” Polly and her amazing team for uniting us all in this effort.