Yesterday the Kiev National Orchestra and Chorus presented an hour and half performance of Handel’s Messiah.
While a common event in the West, in the early 1990’s following Ukraine’s independence, this group was the first to perform this “religious” work in this former state under the control of the Soviet Union.
The orchestra and chorus were founded in 1993 by Roger McMurrin, a Presbyterian Choir Director and his wife as Music Mission Kiev. Joan and I met them during the orchestra’s initial tour of the US. Its purpose was to employ out-of-work professional artists so they could earn a living in their newly independent country.
Roger and Diane eventually moved to live in Ukraine full time. The mission was expanded to serve widows and orphans with bible study and social services. It is now under local Ukrainian leadership.
This Performance
This YouTube recording of yesterday’s concert is a different experience than what you might enjoy in your local community.
The performance is in Ukrainian. As we listen, we know the music, but the words are not familiar. This causes us to listen with new intensity providing a fresh experience. The music is gorgeous.
The camera work also communicates with its many views the full visual efforts of individual artists and the chorus as a whole.
Seeing this live performance in Kiev in the middle of an intense war for their freedom, now 1,021 days long, can be very moving. People singing of joy, hope and faith in an era in which over 400,000 of their citizens have been killed or wounded.
This performance is dedicated to Roger who died in 2023. There is a brief opening video from Diane. Watch and listen for a singular and moving experience.
(https://www.youtube.com/live/SuALTmDE1I8)