Under the bright lights, the Lviv National Philharmonic Orchestra of Ukraine takes the stage at a recent performance as part of a 40-day American tour. As principal conductor Theodore Kuchar readies, he notices a sea of Ukrainian flags and a sense of unity within the American audience.
Kuchar feels the applauses at every performance, often witnessing heavy emotions from the audience who acknowledge the growing tensions between Russia and Ukraine. On Feb. 24, 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine — escalating the war between the two nations. Since the invasion, at least 42,000 people have died and approximately 14 million people have been displaced, according to Reuters.
While the tour continues to evoke strong feelings, the century-old Ukrainian orchestra will take the stage to perform classic compositions of composers Johannes Brahms and Jean Sibelius at the Lehman Center for the Performing Arts in the Bronx on Sunday.
A feeling of nostalgia and prestige takes over for Kuchar as he returns to New York. Performing at venues like Radio City Music Hall, Carnegie Hall and The Lehman Center, Kuchar hopes to change the narrative surrounding Ukraine through powerful performances. Over the decades, he says there’s been a negative view of the country, often one seen as a victim of oppression. However, his mission is to change that perception and put Ukraine on a pedestal as a world cultural power and highly credible country. With every performance, he feels that acknowledgment.
“As the orchestra walks on stage, you see people who have small Ukrainian flags in their pockets, they immediately start stomping,” he says. “It’s more than just a reaction to what we do musically. You feel that there is a very intense but somewhat hidden political energy and motivation behind that applause.”
Kuchar, 58, formerly served as the artistic director and principal conductor of two of Europe’s leading orchestras, the National Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine and the…
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