Featuring Denis Savelyev (flute), Radoslawa Jasik (piano), and Larisa Pastuchiv (bandura), this performance will highlight the resilience of Ukrainian musicians and performers throughout history. In partnership with the Baltimore-Odesa Sister City Committee, the performance will explore 20th and 21st century music and literature while showcasing the bandura, a traditional Ukrainian stringed instrument dating back to the 15th century. Music will also be drawn from the album Two Cultures One Sound which features both Ukrainian and Polish works.

About the Artists

 

Larisa Pastuchiv, bandura

Larisa Pastuchiv-Martin learned to play the bandura at a young age from her father, Rt.Rev Serhij Kindzerjavyj-Pastukhiv who established the New York School of Bandura in the late 1960’s. The bandura is a cross between a lute and a harp, and is considered Ukraine’s traditional musical instrument.  The Bandura School of NY aimed to renew the original kozak traditions and techniques of playing the bandura using both hands to cover the full 5-octave range; the approach was designed for solo playing, so that each student used both hands producing both melody and accompaniment sounds simultaneously.  Larisa studied music theory and composition at Marlboro College, VT, home of the Marlboro Music Festivals and Bach Festivals where she composed for bandura and continued to showcase the instrument.

Currently residing in the DC-area, she plays in venues associated with the Smithsonian Institute, the Library of Congress, the Washington Folklore Society, the Ukrainian embassy, Voice of America broadcasts, and most recently, at numerous, various fund-raising events to support Ukraine.

 

Denis Savelyev, flute

Denis Savelyev, an international soloist and chamber virtuoso, commands the stage
with unparalleled artistry. Winner of prestigious awards such as the New York Flute
Club Competition and ‘Rising Star’ at the 2021 Galway Flute Festival, his performances
captivate worldwide audiences. A member of the esteemed Marlboro Music Festival in
2023 and 2024, Denis further solidifies his reputation as a leading artist.
With roots in Lviv, Ukraine, Denis began his musical journey at age 5, refining his craft
at esteemed institutions like the Gnesin Academy of Music and Mannes College.
Holding Master’s degrees in music and curatorial studies from Bard College, he is
currently a candidate for the Doctoral Degree in music at the Peabody Conservatory.
Denis has graced iconic venues such as Carnegie Hall, collaborating with luminaries
like Neeme Järvi and Tan Dun. His orchestral journey includes engagements with the
Mariinsky Theater and Palm Beach Symphony. Beyond the stage, Denis is a dedicated
educator, sharing his passion for music globally and inspiring the next generation of
musicians. With an unwavering commitment to excellence, he continues to push
boundaries and inspire audiences worldwide.

Follow Denis on Facebook and Instagram

 

Radoslawa Jasik, piano

Polish pianist Radoslawa Jasik is the first prize winner of numerous
competitions, including “The Beijing Music Academy Piano Competition”
(China), “The J. S. Bach International Piano Competition” (Gorzów
Wielkopolski, Poland), “The Polish-German International Piano
Competition,” (Zgorzelec/Goerlitz, Germany), “The CiPà di BarlePa 20th
International Music Competition” (Italy), “The 9th International
Independent Music Competition Individualis” (Kijev, Ukraine) in the solo
and duo category. She has received numerous honors including
scholarships from the Prime Minister of Poland and the President of
Katowice, as well as from the Mount Royal University (Canada), The
Maestro Foundation and The Fontainebleau School of Music and Fine Arts
in France.
Radoslawa has been actively performing in the US, Italy, France, Sweden,
UK, Poland and China.
Ms. Jasik had her debut at Carnegie Hall in December 2015 performing
Virko Baley’s Partita no.3 with the flutist Denis Savelyev in the world
premiere arrangement for flute and piano. She was also invited as a
soloist to perform at Carnegie Hall for “The Celebration of Women – In
light of the Centenary of Women’s Right to Vote in Poland” in 2018 as well
as for the Moniuszko Bicentenary Gala in March 2019.
Savelyev and Jasik, known as the UP Duo, returned to Carnegie Hall in
2022 to perform Polish and Ukrainian music. In 2024 they released an
album entitled “Two Cultures, One Sound.”
In November 2022, Ms. Jasik curated her own project at the Consulate
General of the Republic of Poland in New York City collaborating with
composer Mikołaj Piotr Górecki. Radosława Jasik performed Górecki’s
solo and chamber pieces as well as the Trio Concerto with the Avalanche
Orchestra. She also led a panel discussion with the composer.
In April 2024 Mrs. Jasik became President of the non-for-profit
organization New York Dance & Arts Innovations, and Executive director
of “The International Chopin and Friends Festival.”
Radoslawa Jasik is active as an educator, offering private lessons and
group classes. She received a grant from the Polish Government in
Warsaw to lead a series of workshops at Polish Schools in New York City
in 2022 and 2023.
Ms. Jasik earned her Master of Music degree and Professional Studies
Diploma degree from the prestigious Mannes School of Music, as the
recipient of the Steinway Award for an outstanding performer. She
earned a doctoral degree in Piano Performance from the HarP School,
University of Harnord in May 2023.

Follow Radoslawa on Facebook and Instagram

 

Jasik and Savelyev Duo 

Pianist Radoslawa Jasik and flutist Denis Savelyev are a rising force in classical music. They met at Mannes School of Music in 2015 and quickly established a duo, performing at Carnegie Hall the same year. In 2016, they were invited by renowned Ukrainian composer Virko Baley to perform at the University of Nevada, a significant honor that highlighted their growing reputation. In 2022, Jasik and Savelyev organized charitable concerts to support Ukrainian refugees, performing in several European cities and raising funds for relief organizations. They also toured Italy and Poland, promoting solidarity between Polish and Ukrainian nations through their selected repertoire. In November 2022, they returned to Carnegie Hall to perform their Polish-Ukrainian repertoire, including S. Orel’s *Hoverla*, as part of a larger ensemble supporting Ukraine. In early 2024, they released their debut album, which has received outstanding reviews and is available on all streaming platforms. Their repertoire spans from Baroque to contemporary works. Currently, they are focusing on Polish and Ukrainian compositions such as F. Chopin, Z. Kolodub, M. Lysenko. The duo has garnered praise for their virtuosity, musicality, and stage presence, quickly becoming one of the most sought-after young ensembles in the world. 

 

About the Baltimore-Odesa Sister City Committee

Baltimore-Odesa Sister City Committee (BOSCC) stems from the Sister Cities International program established by President Eisenhower in 1956 to create a force for international cooperation and understanding through community involvement by promoting peace through people-to-people relationships. The Baltimore Sister Cities (BSC) Program was established in 1974 by Mayor William Donald Schaefer. Odesa is the second oldest relationship managed by Baltimore Sister Cities, Inc., a 501c3 non-profit corporation. BOSCC fosters international cooperation and aims to support mutual understanding between the people of Baltimore and the Ukrainian city of Odesa. The Committee develops and promotes opportunities for exchange among individuals, groups, and organizations in the City of Baltimore. BOSCC endeavors to support the Baltimore region’s activities and programs supporting Ukraine and the local Ukrainian community.

For more information about local and national Ukrainian organizations and arts:

Crowdsourcing Ukrainian Artifacts from Among Local Collections

Cultural heritage becomes especially precious when an unrelenting adversary threatens to wipe it out.  Since Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, 2022, Ukrainian-Americans have clung fiercely to their shared language, history and culture. This exhibition aims to showcase the joy and pride of Maryland residents with Ukrainian roots. The art, folk art and artifacts displayed in this online space represent cherished links to rich, beloved common traditions.

We invite you to share a few of your most cherished items that showcase and celebrate Ukrainian culture and heritage. Images will be continuously added to an online exhibit highlighting family-collected art, artifacts, and treasures.

  • Please email images to In the Stacks curator Sam Bessen at inthestacks@jhu.edu 
  • Choose 1-4 photos of Ukrainian art or artifacts that occupy a place of personal importance to you and your family.
  • Please include a title and brief description for each image: What is it? Where did it originate? Why is it important to you or your family?
  • By providing images, you give permission for their use in the above online exhibition. Please contact Sam Bessen at inthestacks@jhu.edu for take-down requests

Tonight’s Program

Medley of traditional Ukrainian songs performed on bandura: My Thoughts and Evening Song: All is Quiet Along the Riverbank

Serhij Kindzerjavij-Pastukhiv: Remembrance

Traditional song arr. Larisa Pastuchiv: Greensleeves

Zhanna Kolodub: Nocturn and Poem

Alexandre Tansman: Sonatina

Reinhold Glière: Melody and Valse

Michał Bergson: Concert-Arie

Michael Hayvoronsky: Dumka

Frédéric Chopin: Grand Duo

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