Chamber Choir “Kyiv”
History of the team
Kyiv Chamber Choir is a professional group founded in December 1990. The artists of the choir are graduates of music academies and universities of Ukraine, united in a common artistic path under the leadership of Mykola Hobdych, who was educated at the Kyiv Conservatory. The choir’s programs include national and foreign music of the Middle Ages, baroque, classicism, romanticism and modernity.
Since its foundation, the choir has become an integral part of the artistic life of Kyiv. Thanks to the creativity of the collective, the successful combination of the traditions of Ukrainian choral art and the innovative approach, it became famous not only on the domestic but also on the international stage. Its purpose is to preserve traditions, promote the spiritual development of society, and represent Ukraine and its musical art in the world.
Award winner
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1992
Gold diploma at the 1st choir competition named after R. Schuman, Zwickau (Germany)
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1993
First prize at the 12th church music competition, Hajnówka (Poland)
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1993
Grand Prix at the VI International Choir Competition, Sligo (Ireland)
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1994
Second prize at the 49th International Choir Competition, Llangollen (Wales)
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2002
Grand Prix at the 20th competition among laureates of previous years, Hainówka (Poland)
International performances
“Kyiv” Chamber Choir has performed over 1500 concert performances on the stages of 22 countries of the world: USA, Canada, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, England, France, Holland, Belgium, Germany, Austria, Italy, Denmark , Sweden, Norway, Switzerland, Poland, Hungary, Georgia, Ukraine.
The Choir has performed at Carnegie Hall (New York), Washington National Cathedral, J. Mason University Concert Hall (Washington); Roy Thompson Hawley, Weston Recital Hawley and Corny Hawley (Toronto); BBC concert hall (London); Notre Dame of France; Churches of St. of Christ (Warsaw); in the philharmonics of Utrecht, Rotterdam, Amsterdam (Soncertgebouw), Berlin, Kyiv; Berlin Dom; Tivoli concert hall, Marmorkirke and Domkirke (Copenhagen); Oscars Church (Stockholm).
Reviews of the performances of the “Kyiv” Chamber Choir were published by “The New York Times”, “The Washington Post”, “The Glasgow News”, “Normandie”, “Der Tages Spiegel Berlin”, “Műnchener Merkur”, “Copenhagen Post” (Denmark ), “Voice of Ukraine” and others.
Heritage and art
Chamber Choir “Kyiv” preserves and popularizes the multifaceted heritage of Ukrainian choral art. On the basis of the team, the “Library of the Kyiv Choir” was created – a series of sheet music editions of national choral scores from the Middle Ages to the present.
50 CDs were released with recordings of national and foreign music, most of which were recorded for the first time.
The catalog of the “Library of the “Kyiv” Choir” includes about three hundred items, including twelve sheet music collections of complete collections of works by Ukrainian composers, published for the first time.
The role of Ukrainian culture in war conditions
Even in the most difficult periods of history, the team continues to popularize Ukrainian culture, demonstrating its sophistication and uniqueness.
- In August 2022, the “Kyiv” choir was invited to participate in the “Olavfest” festival in the city of Trondheim, Norway. The theme of the festival was “Hope”, which became the common theme of all concerts. The festival focused the attention of the world community on the events related to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
- Also, from September 26, 2022 to October 2, 2022, the Chamber Choir “Kyiv” took part in the Festival “Weeks of Ukrainian Culture “Bouquet Kyiv Stage” in Oxford with the support of Cherwell College Oxford, Oxford University Ukrainian Society, British Council Ukraine, Ukrainian Institute, “Dom master class”, Orchestra of St. John’s. The big event of the festival was the performance by our choir of the premiere of the work “Tears or songs without words”, written by the world-famous Ukrainian composer Valentyn Sylvestrov under the influence of the tragedy in Buch.
- The choir received an invitation to participate in the high art festival Bouquet Kyiv Stage from April 26 to May 3, 2023 in Georgia, a country whose people are a true friend and great supporter of Ukraine. In the program of the festival, the “Kyiv” choir performed the program “Breaking into the Light”, music by Ukrainian composers written during the war. Also, as part of the performance, a commemorative action “Red Viburnum” was held with the performance of rifle songs, “Testament” by Taras Hryhorovych Shevchenko, “National Anthem of Ukraine”. During the campaign, 41 trees brought from Ukraine were planted as a sign of memory, respect and gratitude to each of the 41 Heroes of Sakartvelo who gave their lives for Ukraine.
Despite the difficult times brought by Russian aggression, artistic groups such as the Kyiv Chamber Choir continue to perform, demonstrating the strength of Ukrainian culture and its important role in overcoming the crisis of national identity. It is also an example of national patriotism and proof that true art always finds ways to inspire and sustain the world in its most difficult times.