Ukrainians in tune with the hearts of Epsom
On Saturday 18th June Epsom Music with Surrey Stands with Ukraine organised a very special evening with Ukrainian musicians at the Epsom Methodist Church. The evening was hosted and presented in Ukrainian. Church Minister Catherine Hutton welcomed an audience of Ukrainian refugees and their English hosts.
Picture above features Ukrainian pianist Anastacia Tolstonog and her musically gifted children, Maryan and Hannah.
Robin Sebastian (aka Kenneth Williams on stage and screen) and on behalf of Headley Parish Council presented to Anne-Marie Carlin of Surrey Stands With Ukraine a cheque for £6000.
Recently arrived from Ukraine, Mariya Zhornikova, of Kharkiv Arts University, opened the music with Debussy’s Pagodes from the Estampes Suite for piano.
Svitlana Kosenko, professor of piano at the Yehudi Menuhin School in nearby Cobham, accompanied outstanding violinist 17 year old Vadym Perog, who’s technical mastery of a work by Maurice Ravel was spellbounding.
Anastacia Tolstonog, professional pianist and piano tutor, accompanied her recently arrived 16 years old son Maryan van Prooijen, who was enrolled, together with his musical 14 years old sister, Hannah, at the Yehudi Menuhin School. They had been studying at the Kyiv Lisenko State Music Lyceum. Anastacia also played solo pieces by Scarlatti and three works by Ukrainian composer Viktor Kosenko.
Many in the audience were moved to tears by the passion of the players and the beauty of their music.
Nina Kaye, of the Epsom Refugee network, recited a moving poem written by local poet Audrey Ardern-Jones entitled “White Roses”, written in honour of Audrey’s mother, who fled to England from Lviv, during the Second World War. You can read the poem HERE in English and Ukrainian
The evening’s success was assured by the interpreting skills of Darina Dvorinchenko, also recently arrived from Odessa, Ukraine.
If you know of opportunities for Ukrainian pianists to perform or tutor get in touch with The Epsom and Ewell Times and we will pass your message on.
Youtube video courtesy of Cllr Steven McCormick of parts of the concert HERE
Yehudi Menuhin School’s professor of piano Svitlana Kosenko accompanies violin virtuoso Vadym Perog.