Wind Ensemble

Program Notes

I. Sounds: The Beaten Path

This movement draws inspiration from a brief quote from Ivan Mazepa (Іван Мазепа), leader and patron of the arts who portrayed Ukraine's tumultuous history as: “O woe to the poor little seagull that hatched her babies by the beaten path”.

While mostly original material, this movement uses the well-known Ukrainian folk song” A Moonlit Night” which is emphatically stated and thoroughly explored less than a minute into the work (starting in m. 36). The final four notes of this song (sol-re-me-do/ 5-2-3-1) are used as a recurring motif in this movement and throughout the entire work. These notes are presented both sequentially and in unison (creating clustered "chords"), while also being varied throughout. *

Throughout my research and personal interactions, the theme of Ukraine being “small but mighty” was recurrent. In measure 19, the piccolo— the smallest but perhaps the most acoustically prevalent instrument in the ensemble— calls out and the ensemble responds with strength and unity. The piccolo continues to serve as this “rallying cry” and source of strength for the rest of the ensemble throughout the movement.

Near the end of the movement (mm. 193-195) the audience will hear a brief quote of the Ukrainian national anthem, whose lyrics begin: “Ukraine’s freedom has not yet perished, nor has her glory…” Overall, this movement attempts to represent a proud and resilient people, even in the face of hardship and chaos.

* (This is notable in the cluster that is first introduced in measure 6 played by muted trumpets, horns, and xylophone), where the “chord” is presented in what could be thought of as being in “third inversion" (with the “sol”/5 being moved to the lowest voice) while the “do”/1 is raised a half-step. While serving as a simple method to create more dissonance, this also represents the structure of the powerful Ukrainian motif being “bent” but never completely breaking throughout the movement despite near overwhelming chaos.)

II. Voices: Cherez Pole Shyrokeye (“Across the Wide Field”)

(Через Поле Широкеє)

(Pronounced SHARE-ehz POH-leh sheh-ROW-keh-yeh)

Most famously arranged for choir by Ukrainian composer Mykola Leontovych, “Cherez Pole Shyrokeye” serves as a moment of healing and reflection. During the attack on Kyiv and throughout Ukraine, many citizens were forced to take shelter, often in underground bunkers. While waiting for the danger to pass, many Ukrainians found comfort and strength in singing and performing music. The resonant, echo-like sounds at the beginning of this movement attempt to convey the acoustics of the concrete underground shelters. In the distance, echoes of distorted trumpets perform a brief quote of the Ukrainian National Anthem, representing the many musicians who performed impromptu concerts in public areas throughout the city to raise the spirits of their fellow citizens.

Connecting the two movements, the four-note motif constructed from the final notes of “A Moonlit Night” (5-2-3-1) sounds on resonant keyboard instruments. These four pitches are presented in this order in a seemingly random rhythm. It is not until “Cherez Pole Shyrokeye” finds a steady pulse in the trumpet solo that we see how these four pitches fit within this melody.

The most profound moment of this work occurs just a few minutes into the music, as the “voices” of the Ukrainian people are represented by the ensemble singing. At the same time, the audience will hear an audio track that was recorded by the NASB of Ukraine in their concert hall on May 30, 2025. This recording is the voice of Pavlo Vyshebaba, a poet turned soldier who was sending communication on this project from the frontlines. He was eventually assigned to duty in Kyiv where they were able to create this recording. 

…

The music builds in strength, representing the resilience and bravery of the Ukrainian people as they come together to support one another. There is a sense of hope when the percussion and piano enter, presenting an inversion of the 4-note motif slightly altered to a major mode. The movement ends on a quiet, tense dissonance, as if asking “Was my prayer heard?”. The glockenspiel answers optimistically to end the movement.

I find the spirit of this music is exceptionally summarized from the program notes of another arrangement of “Cherez Pole Shekrokeye" by Women’s Bandura Ensemble of North America:

“This piece embodies the eternal themes of spring, rebirth and redemption, and serves as a reminder that new beginnings are not always without pain.”

III. Dreams

This movement represents peace and hope for Ukraine. Dreams of loved ones coming home and a bright future. During the time I wrote this music, Ukraine faced immense pain and difficulty, yet there are so many instances of beauty because of the people. There are weddings, art is being made, people gather together to support each other and give one another strength, and concerts (like the one this piece is written for) continue to draw crowds.

The opening chords are the 4-note motif inverted (up P4, down m2, up m3) harmonized in quartal and quintal harmony. The sixteenth note run in m. 4 is also completely constructed on this variation of the motif.

After the celebratory beginning, the music takes on a modern “groove”, inspired by the thriving popular music culture and artists in Ukraine. The music quickly becomes more contemplative, as we hear Pavlo’s poem (the final lines) return once more. Material from both movements is presented here and acknowledges the heroes, strength, tragedy, and loss.

The final minutes of this music display immense power and pride. In victory, the horns raise their bells and, once more, the ensemble cries out a small snippet of the Ukrainian National Anthem once more, inspired by the lyrics: “Upon us, fellow Ukrainians, fate shall smile once more.”

The timpanist brings the work to a commanding conclusion by emphatically stating the 4-note motif that anchored the work. The final tempo marking in the conductor’s score is in Ukrainian:

“нарешті мир”

(Pronounced “nareshti myr”), which roughly translates to “Peace at last”.