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A youth orchestra within the Kyiv area composes a symphonic poem, re-creating the sound of wartime nights in Ukraine.
AILSA CHANG, HOST:
Russia’s drone strikes have modified the best way Ukraine sounds. A youth orchestra exterior Kyiv has been listening, as NPR’s Joanna Kakissis reviews.
JOANNA KAKISSIS, BYLINE: On most nights, 14-year-old Rostyslav Musiienko (ph) hears one thing like this buzzing over his home.
(SOUNDBITE OF DRONE BUZZING)
KAKISSIS: An Iranian-designed drone known as the Shahed – it seems like a small airplane and infrequently carries a warhead.
ROSTYSLAV MUSIIENKO: (Talking Ukrainian).
KAKISSIS: Rostoslav says, “when it picks up velocity, I disguise as a result of I am scared.” He is aware of this sound so effectively. He performs it on his trombone at orchestra apply…
(SOUNDBITE OF HARMONIA ORCHESTRA’S “SHAHED OVERTURE”)
KAKISSIS: …Becoming a member of the opposite musicians. Most are center schoolers from the city of Kivshovata exterior Kyiv.
(SOUNDBITE OF HARMONIA ORCHESTRA’S “SHAHED OVERTURE”)
KAKISSIS: They’re taking part in a composition about Ukraine’s nights of battle. It is known as “Shahed Overture.” The younger musicians are writing it with native guitar trainer Dmytro Korniienko (ph).
DMYTRO KORNIIENKO: (Talking Ukrainian).
KAKISSIS: “We used to play jazz and funk songs,” Korniienko says. “This composition displays the horror that we now stay in.”
SERHII NEDUZHYI: (Vocalizing).
(SOUNDBITE OF MUSIC)
KAKISSIS: The orchestra is known as Harmonia. They rehearse on a small, brightly lit stage. The conductor, Serhii Neduzhyi (ph), straps on a bass drum…
NEDUZHYI: (Vocalizing).
KAKISSIS: …Then hums a tune to the lead violinist, his 14-year-old daughter Anna Neduzhyi (ph)…
ANNA NEDUZHYI: (Taking part in violin).
KAKISSIS: …Who begins the piece by evoking a relaxed night time.
ANNA: (Taking part in violin).
(Talking Ukrainian).
KAKISSIS: “It is nice and peaceable,” Anna says. “An bizarre day in an bizarre metropolis till a horrible actuality intrudes.”
(SOUNDBITE OF HARMONIA ORCHESTRA’S “SHAHED OVERTURE”)
KAKISSIS: Her dad, the conductor, continues.
NEDUZHYI: (Talking Ukrainian).
KAKISSIS: We hear air raid sirens, then a Shahed drone flying, then antiaircraft weapons.
(SOUNDBITE OF HARMONIA ORCHESTRA’S “SHAHED OVERTURE”)
KAKISSIS: The conductor kilos on his bass drum, explosions. The drone is shot down. Its wreckage falls on the town.
NEDUZHYI: (Talking Ukrainian).
KAKISSIS: “Then,” he says, “you hear the sirens of an ambulance and firefighters”…
(SOUNDBITE OF HARMONIA ORCHESTRA’S “SHAHED OVERTURE”)
KAKISSIS: …”And rescue employees digging within the rubble, listening to a child cry.”
(SOUNDBITE OF HARMONIA ORCHESTRA’S “SHAHED OVERTURE”)
NEDUZHYI: (Talking Ukrainian).
KAKISSIS: “The drumming,” he says, “is a heartbeat.”
(SOUNDBITE OF HARMONIA ORCHESTRA’S “SHAHED OVERTURE”)
KAKISSIS: It begins quietly at first after which grows stronger and stronger. The guts beats louder, an indication of life.
(SOUNDBITE OF HARMONIA ORCHESTRA’S “SHAHED OVERTURE”)
KAKISSIS: The younger Ukrainians on this orchestra are survivors. Russian strikes blow out their home windows at house and drive them into bunkers at college. Almost each week, they play on the funerals of native troopers. Ruslana Halaziuk (ph), a 20-year-old drummer, struggles to explain the expertise.
RUSLANA HALAZIUK: (Talking Ukrainian).
KAKISSIS: “You simply stand there,” she says, “and also you simply can not maintain again your tears.”
(SOUNDBITE OF HARMONIA ORCHESTRA’S “SHAHED OVERTURE”)
KAKISSIS: There isn’t a ending but for this battle or for “Shahed Overture,” which the musicians are nonetheless writing. So at this time, they linger on a hopeful be aware.
(SOUNDBITE OF HARMONIA ORCHESTRA’S “SHAHED OVERTURE”)
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