Concert | Zu Gast aus Odessa

Ensemble Senza Sforzando

Oleksandr Perepelytsia, conductor
Composers of the Ukraine

Two graphic drawings side by side

© Oleksandr Perepelytsia

The Ukrainian music scene has been a driving force of contemporary art for many years – bold, innovative and firmly anchored in the confrontation with social and political challenges of the present day. Within this context, the Ensemble Senza Sforzando has become established as one of the most exciting contemporary music groups. Founded in 2001 by the conductor and pianist Oleksandr Perepelytsia, it has developed close associations with Odessa’s legendary festival Two Days and Two Nights of New Music, and has become a byword for indefatigable enthusiasm in experimentation and curiosity in sound. The ensemble will be presenting a selection of its diverse repertoire in Berlin, performing works by Ukrainian composers.

14:30, Upper Foyer of the Chamber Music Hall
Work introduction

The members of the Ensemble Senza Sforzando are focused not only on musical innovation, but also on the profound artistic confrontation with challenges of our day and age – from war and identity to cultural transformation. Senza Sforzando creates an entirely new programme each year for the festival Two Days and Two Nights of New Music in Odessa which views itself as an acoustic laboratory – a space in which world premieres and avant-garde trends come together with the critical reflection on music as a social resonance chamber.

The open-mindedness of the ensemble for new impulses is also reflected in its performing forces: new musicians are constantly joining the ensemble to augment its tonal spectrum and foster the dialogue between a wide variety of different musical approaches. This continual development and the interaction between diverse tonal worlds have made Senza Sforzando a unique ensemble distinguished by its untiring search for new forms of musical expression.

Programme

Ostap Manulyak (*1983)
Ramifications II (2024)
for voice, flute, violin, cello and piano

Kira Majdenberg-Todorova (*1985)
My beloved … (2022)
for soprano, cello and piano
Lyrics by Valeriya Zhigalina

Yurii Pikush (*1998)
And a strawberry in the hand (2025)
for soprano, flute, clarinet, piano, violin and cello
Lyrics by Yuriy Izdryk
World premiere

Alla Zahaykevich (*1966)
Signs of Presence (2022)
for soprano, cello and piano
Lyrics by Iya Kiva

Karmella Tsepkolenko (*1955)
Reading History (2022)
Cantata for soprano (with small drum), cello and piano
Lyrics Oksana Zabuzhko

Volodymyr Runchak (*1960)
Time „X“ or „Farewell“ (non-symphony) (1998)
for flute, clarinet, piano, violin and cello

Asmati Chibalashvili (*1986)
With Faith in Ukraine (2022)
for soprano, cello and piano
Lyrics by Yulia Dmytrenko-Despotashvili

Bohdan Sehin (1976)
New work (2025)
for soprano, flute, clarinet, piano, violin and cello
World premiere

Karmella Tsepkolenko (*1955)
Faust’s Holiday (2012)
cantata for soprano, voice and ensemble
Lyrics by Yuriy Andruchowych

Andrii Merkhel (*1986)
Temporary protection: unsentimental nocturnes for Alika
Episode in 9 moments (2022)
for ensemble

Contributors

Ensemble Senza Sforzando
Tetiana Muliar – soprano
Nazar Kravchenkoflute
Yurii Haiats – clarinet
Kateryna Korshomna – violin
Mykhailo Bezchastnov – cello
Irma Gotkova – piano
Oleksandr Perepelytsia – conductor, piano

A Berliner Festspiele / Musikfest Berlin event and ...