Genre

:

Concerto

 

 

Orchestral

 

 

Symphony

 

The Kiev Philharmonic Orchestra is a classical music ensemble based in Kiev, Ukraine. The orchestra was founded in 1918, shortly after the end of World War I and the Russian Revolution. The founding members of the orchestra were a group of musicians who had previously played in the Imperial Russian Orchestra, which had been disbanded after the revolution. The Kiev Philharmonic Orchestra quickly established itself as one of the premier orchestras in the Soviet Union. Under the leadership of its first conductor, Oleksandr Horilyj, the orchestra performed a wide range of classical music, including works by Beethoven, Mozart, Tchaikovsky, and Rachmaninoff. The orchestra also commissioned new works by Ukrainian composers, such as Mykola Lysenko and Kyrylo Stetsenko. During World War II, the Kiev Philharmonic Orchestra was evacuated to Siberia, where it continued to perform for soldiers and civilians. After the war, the orchestra returned to Kiev and resumed its regular performances. In the 1950s and 1960s, the orchestra toured extensively throughout the Soviet Union and Europe, performing in major concert halls and festivals. In 1970, the Kiev Philharmonic Orchestra appointed Roman Kofman as its new conductor. Kofman was a highly respected conductor and pianist, and he brought a new level of energy and creativity to the orchestra. Under Kofman's leadership, the orchestra continued to perform a wide range of classical music, but also began to explore new genres and styles, such as jazz and contemporary music. One of the highlights of the Kiev Philharmonic Orchestra's career under Kofman was its performance of Shostakovich's Symphony No. 13, "Babi Yar," in 1972. The symphony, which is based on the massacre of Jews at Babi Yar during World War II, was a powerful and emotional work that had never been performed in the Soviet Union before. The performance was a critical and popular success, and helped to establish the Kiev Philharmonic Orchestra as one of the leading orchestras in the world. In the 1980s and 1990s, the Kiev Philharmonic Orchestra continued to tour extensively, performing in major concert halls and festivals throughout Europe, Asia, and North America. The orchestra also recorded numerous albums, including works by Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninoff, and Shostakovich. In 1995, the Kiev Philharmonic Orchestra appointed its current conductor, Herman Makarenko. Makarenko is a highly respected conductor and composer, and has led the orchestra to new heights of artistic excellence. Under Makarenko's leadership, the orchestra has continued to perform a wide range of classical music, but has also expanded its repertoire to include works by contemporary composers and Ukrainian folk music. One of the highlights of the Kiev Philharmonic Orchestra's career under Makarenko was its performance of Mahler's Symphony No. 8, "Symphony of a Thousand," in 2010. The symphony, which requires a massive orchestra and choir, was a monumental undertaking for the orchestra, but the performance was a critical and popular success. The Kiev Philharmonic Orchestra has received numerous awards and accolades throughout its history. In 1978, the orchestra was awarded the title of "Honored Ensemble of Ukraine" by the Ukrainian government. In 1998, the orchestra was awarded the title of "People's Artist of Ukraine," the highest honor that can be bestowed upon an artist in Ukraine.

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