Miami concert pays tribute to composer Ihor Sonevytsky (04/20/97)

Miami concert pays tribute to composer Ihor Sonevytsky

by Oksana Piaseckyj

MIAMI - On a perfect, sunny Miami day, on March 23 the Ukrainian Catholic Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary welcomed three artists from the metropolitan New York area for a concert in honor of their friend and musical mentor, composer Ihor Sonevytsky.

Pianist Volodymyr Vynnytsky, soprano Lyudmyla Djoi and baritone Oleh Chmyr presented an all-Sonevytsky program to commemorate the composer's 70th birthday.

The three artists emigrated to the United States from Ukraine in the last five years, and have become well-known in Ukrainian and American circles.

Ms. Djoi sang with the State Philharmonic Society of Odesa and performed in the Odesa Theater of Musical Comedy.

Mr. Vynnytsky won the Margueritte Long-Jacques Thibaud International Piano Competition in Paris in 1983 and has concertized extensively abroad and in the U.S.

Mr. Chmyr has performed leading roles in well-known opera houses of Ukraine, Russia and Poland, and recently performed concerts at Carnegie Hall and appeared at the Newport International Star Festival.

As composer, musicologist, conductor, teacher and cultural activist, Mr. Sonevytsky has enriched the lives of the Ukrainian diaspora for at least 40 years. Most recently he has finally been given the recognition he so rightly deserves in Ukraine as well. His works are being published and performed by leading Ukrainian artists.

Parishioners in Miami who knew Mr. Sonevytsky personally and those who admired his musical legacy eagerly awaite his performance and the opportunity to meet with the composer. Unfortunately, due to health reasons, Mr. Sonevytsky could not be present. However, through the lyrical beauty of his music and masterful interpretations of his unforgettable works, everyone sensed his presence that afternoon.

Msgr. John P. Stevensky, pastor of Miami's Ukrainian Catholic parish, along with many devotees of Mr. Sonevytsky, warmly greeted the trio. Paul Galadza, the church cantor and assistant choir director, officially opened the program with welcoming remarks.

The concert took place in the intimate and acoustically well-suited church, which gave a perfect backdrop for the sacred music. Ms. Djoi opened the program with Mr. Sonevytsky's "Religious Song Cycle," giving each song the tender devotional interpretation it requires. Mr. Chmyr, with his impressive range of subtleties, rendered the "Withered Leaves" song cycle with romanticism and tenderness.

Mr. Vynnytsky then performed Mr. Sonevytsky's Piano Concerto in G Major. This was an unusual performance in which the concerto's orchestral part was played on tape and then joined by Mr. Vynnytsky, live on piano. The timing intricacies were formidable, and the result marvelous. Mr. Vynnytsky is a master of his art. He can take a modest parish spinet in hand and, with his powerful technical mastery and tempered passion, transform it into a Steinway.

Sometimes a concert devoted to a single composer can become tedious, lacking variety. However Mr. Sonevytsky's compositions are each so different and interesting with beautiful haunting melodies that the listener wants to hear more and more. The spiritually uplifted audience in Miami did not want the concert to end.

After heart-warming congratulations, the artists left for Orlando, Fla., to audition with the Orlando Opera, and then to a second concert at Northport, Fla., the following week.

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