A Journey of Purpose: Music and Solidarity in Kyiv
9/6/2025
Written on returning from one of the most moving and inspiring experiences of my life…
On Friday, Kent Nagano, Jörg Widmann and I departed from Warsaw Central Station for a 12-hour overnight train journey to Kyiv. We travelled in cramped sleeper wagons on an antiquated train, our progress interrupted for more than two hours at the Polish-Ukrainian border in the middle of the night. Even this physical delay felt symbolically powerful, serving as a reminder that Russian aggression has turned what should be simple, peaceful travel between nations into something fraught with difficulty and danger — especially for those who need or wish to reach Kyiv.
Our journey followed the resounding success of the premiere performances in Hamburg of Jörg Widmann’s extraordinary Cantata in Tempore Belli, a deeply moving and enthralling work commissioned at the wish of Kent Nagano by the Hamburg Staatsorchester. These first concerts, which took place two months ago, featured the Liatoshynskyi Capella of the National House of Music of Ukraine who also performed Mozart’s C Minor Mass in the same programme. Jörg and Kent were determined to bring the Cantarta to Kyiv and the National Opera Orchestra and Chorus as soon as possible.
Despite the continuous risks and traumas of missile and zone strikes, Kyiv’s National Opera has never stopped. It has continued with its astonishingly rich and diverse program of opera, ballet, and concerts, each performed in packed houses. And yet, these performances remain susceptible to sudden interruption, as air raid sirens regularly compel performers and audience alike to seek shelter underground. Jörg has integrated these all-too-familiar sounds into the instrumentation of his Cantata, fusing musical composition with lived Ukrainian reality.
Due to the impossibly tight schedules of both Kent and Jörg, the only viable window for the performance was 7 June — requiring arrival in Kyiv in the morning and departure the same evening. This required the opera’s orchestra and the enlarged chorus to undergo careful preparation in advance, allowing for just one intense rehearsal with Kent Nagano as conductor soon after arrival, ahead of the 3 p.m. concert.
The program opened with a fine performance of Mozart’s Requiem, conducted by Artistic Director Mykola Diadura. The second half featured Widmann’s Cantata in Tempore Belli, performed by the Liatoshynskyi Capella, joined by the excellent Choir and Orchestra of the National Opera. Mezzo-soprano Ida Aldrian — superb and with moving expressiveness — travelled 24 hours by bus from Hamburg in each direction to participate. The narration of Widmann’s powerful text was delivered with deeply affecting gravity by Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Oleksandra Matviichuk, head of the Centre for Civil Liberties.
The performance was overwhelming: an artistic and emotional tribute to the bravery, resilience, and optimism of the Ukrainian people, whose unity in the face of adversity is as inspiring as it is resolute. It was a musical affirmation of their right to defend their nation and pursue their aspirations to live freely, peacefully, and progressively within the European family.
Kent Nagano, aside from his artistic leadership, also represented the city of Hamburg (Kyiv’s sister city) in his capacity as General Music Director. Realising this challenging project in such a short span of weeks was only possible thanks to the tireless efforts of many people. Our gratitude extends to the HP liaison teams in Munich, Paris and London, and in particular to His Excellency Martin Jaeger, the German Ambassador to Ukraine, and to Lisa Heike and other colleagues. Above all, we are indebted to everyone at the National Opera, especially chorus master Bogdan Plish and project curator Hanna Plish, who handled every detail, large or small, with unflagging professionalism and grace.
This deeply touching experience has reinforced in my heart and mind one of the axioms of my life: when considering the challenges and ardours of our journeys we should consider these as nothing if the desired destination and purpose can be achieved.
— Jasper Parrott
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