Soirees Dedicated to Memory of Ivan Karabyts
January 17 marked the 58th anniversary of the renowned Ukrainian composer’s birthday and January 20 — the one-year anniversary of his untimely death.
Ivan Fedorovych made an enormous contribution to our culture, primarily through his symphony and chamber compositions and film soundtracks. His opera-oratorio, Kyiv Frescoes, concert for a choir, The Garden of Divine Songs, oratorio, Fire Spell, and concert for the orchestra, Polyphony, became part of the golden endowment of Ukrainian art. Karabyts was among the founders of the Kyiv Music Fest international musical festival, permanent head of the panel of judges of the Vladimir Horovits International Young Pianists Contest, public figure, and pedagogue. He assisted many young musicians in developing their talents. Owing to the composer, the Summer Musical Soirees were renewed in Kyiv, which are held next to the Mariyinsky Palace. Karabyts knew how to unite people, possessing an outstanding gift for organizing. For many, including those who new Ivan Fedorovytch personally, his sudden death was a shock. Karabyts was a strong person. He never complained about his illness. It is hard to believe that a year has already passed since his death.
In the words of the composer’s widow, Mariana Davydivna, professor at the National Music Academy of Ukraine, the idea to honor Ivan Fedorovych’s memory came about spontaneously among his fellow musicians and the public. On January 17, the Small Hall of the Kyiv Conservatory hosted a concert titled Ivan Karabyts and His Students. The concert featured not only the chamber compositions that brought the maestro world recognition, but also his early works influenced by the New Vienna School. This includes, for example, the Sonata for Piano, written by Karabyts in his student years. Not only students, but also the maestro’s fellow professors took part in the concert.
On January 20, the composer’s near and dear, as well as his admirers, visited his grave at the Baikove Cemetery. Later the same day, a mini-festival dedicated to the composer, Ivan’s Epiphany, or Wonder Songs by Ivan Karabyts, took place at the Ukraine Palace. In addition to the composer’s songs, also represented were his jazz and folk compositions, movie soundtracks, etc. Among those taking part in the soiree were Nina Matviyenko, Femiy Mustafayev, Lilia Sandulesa, Alla Kudlay, Ivo Bobul, Viktor Shportko, Cossack Amusement and Guelder Rose ensembles, Lviv Chamber Orchestra (conductor Myroslav Skoryk), et al. Poets Ivan Drach, Yury Rybchynsky, and Viktor Herasymov shared their reminiscences about the maestro.
