“Bach visits Krupka”

The event was dedicated to the 330th anniversary of composer Johann Sebastian Bach and 130th anniversary of Czech architect Frantisek Krupka, who in 1936 designed local administration building, which remains one of the architectural gems of Uzhhorod even today.

“Long ago I came up with an idea to hold a concert in the building of the People’s Council, as this house is called in Uzhhorod,” says the conductor of the Kantus Chamber Choir Emil SOKACH. “Earlier I asked my friend, architect Petro Sarvash, to recommend an original venue as a concert hall. He right away drew my attention to this lobby, which was projected by architect Krupka with a specific purpose to hold society receptions, concerts, and ceremonies. It has wonderful acoustics and interior. At first events of this kind were held there, but later the tradition has been lost. Kantus singers know this place well, because the choir often gets invitations to sing the hymn or a prayer at the opening of the session of the oblast council or to perform on state holidays, and it really stuck in my mind.”

For many years Emil tried to convince the oblast authorities to hold such an action, but the power was changing faster than the decision to give permission for such a concert ripened. This year the choir was invited to perform at events dedicated to the Day of Commemoration and Reconciliation of May 8, and its leader used this opportunity to try again and realize his idea with the assistance of the current authorities. His idea received support and it was only left to organize the performance. During the preparations they decided to unite two dates – the anniversaries of an outstanding composer and an architect, Lvivites from Leopolis gave a big banner with Bach’s portrait, which very harmoniously blended in the interior of the improvised stage.

“We didn’t want to sell tickets for such a concert, which is why we decided to make it a charity event and give the raised funds for the needs of the oblast children’s hospital. All beau monde of Uzhhorod came to listen to Bach’s music performed by Uzhhorod and Lviv musicians, and the funds raised will come in handy for the treatment of the youngest Zakarpathians, who badly need this. The really high-profile action lasted for 1.5 hours. The musicians performed Bach’s cantata Ich hatte viel bekuemmernis BWV 21 for soloists or choir and orchestra and Magnificat BWV 243 for soloists and orchestra. The combination of a refined architecture style, classical music with high-professional performance has become a real artistic event. “I really want such concerts to become a regular event. Of course, no one is going to make a philharmonic society of the administrative building, but it is quite real to give three to four concerts a year,” maestro Sokach said in the end.