Inside “Harmony of Nations”: Celebrating Polish and Ukrainian Musical Heritage

As we navigate through turbulent times globally, the power of music to transcend borders and promote peace becomes increasingly significant. Our upcoming concert,  “Harmony of Nations,” serves as a timely reminder of the enduring pursuit of harmony in an often tumultuous world. This program will highlight and put a special focus on two lesser-known pieces by Polish and Ukrainian composers that provide a rich history for us to delve into.

Polish and Ukrainian composers made significant contributions to Baroque music, although their prominence may not be as widely recognized as composers from other European countries such as Italy, Germany, or France.

Within this program, we have Maxim Berezovsky, the Ukrainian composer born around 1745 in the Cossack Hetmanate. Berezovsky emerged as one of the preeminent composers of his time, making significant contributions to both secular and liturgical music. His career took him from the imperial courts of St. Petersburg to the cultural hubs of Italy. Despite facing numerous challenges throughout his life, including political turmoil and the loss of much of his work, Berezovsky’s legacy endures as a testament to the enduring power of creativity and innovation. Such angst is far removed from the sunny disposition in Maxim Berezovsky’s Symphony in C Major. Written around 1770, this work is recognized as the first symphony written by a Ukrainian composer and is performed for the first time in our region at these concerts.

This pioneering work is a testament to Berezovsky’s studies in Italy with Padre Martini and his subsequent reputation as the “Ukrainian Mozart”. An upbeat opening with declamatory silences is contrasted by a sinuous second theme, both of which are buoyed by repeated notes in the inner parts. Particularly effective are the unresolved chords at the end of the first and second movements that act as dovetail joints. Long notes in the winds and brass help bind together a graceful second movement that yields a vigorous Presto in which the main tune regularly appears in all parts at the same time. We conclude with a crispy Mozartian cadence, rounding off our season on an optimistic note. *Portland Baroque Orchestra would like to thank Steven Fox and Pavel Serbin who rediscovered this symphony in the Vatican Library in 2003. We are very grateful to Kirill Karabits for lending us his edition of the work for us to perform at “Harmony of Nations.”

At the heart of the Harmony program lies Andrzej Panufnik’s Jagiellonian Triptych. Panufnik, a celebrated Polish composer and conductor, was known for his commitment to musical authenticity and innovation. Born in 1914, Panufnik’s career was marked by both artistic excellence and political challenges. He rose to prominence as one of Poland’s leading composers. Still, his increasing disillusionment with the constraints imposed by the country’s regime led him to defect to the United Kingdom in 1954.

So, what is this 20th-century composer doing in this Baroque program? Panufnik was dedicated to his craft, blending historical motifs with his artistic vision and creating something of hybrid compositions. Enter Jagiellonian Triptych. This piece stands as a testament to Panufnik’s unwavering commitment to preserving Poland’s rich cultural heritage amidst adversity.  Inspired by what he describes as “the superb reconstruction of beautiful 16th- and 17th-century houses in the old part of Warsaw which had been flattened during the Uprising at the end of the Second World War,” Panufnik based his work on found Polish musical fragments from the 17th century.

Panufnik composed Jagiellonian Triptych in honor of the Jagiellonian dynasty for the Polish Millennium of Christianity and Statehood in 1966. A chorale-like second movement offsets an assertive austerity at the start, where high sustained sounds create an ethereal glow. Plucked strings at the beginning of the final movement give the music rhythmic zest before a mournful urgency takes over, bringing the triptych to a close with a heart-wrenching cry.

As we come together to experience “Harmony of Nations,” we are invited to embark on a musical journey that transcends borders and celebrates the diversity of our shared heritage. Through the works of Panufnik and Berezovsky, we are reminded of the enduring power of music to inspire, unite, and uplift.
Join us for an unforgettable evening of music and reflection, as we pay homage to the rich musical traditions of Poland and Ukraine. “Harmony of Nations” promises to be a celebration of peace, diversity, and the universal language of music.

Event Details: Harmony of Nations
Date: April 13th & 14th