Musica Poetica

With Musica Poetica program, PNW Kobzar Project offers a fascinating journey through the history of poetic and musical forms, each representing a unique cultural and emotional depth across time and regions. Our program includes works by Johannes Brahms, Antonín Dvořák, Franz Liszt, Mykola Lysenko, Jean Sibelius, among others. Learn more about the program here https://pnwkobzar.org/musica-poetica

Poetry has had a profound influence on classical music, shaping its development and expression across different periods. Composers throughout history have been inspired by poetic texts, infusing their compositions with the rhythm, themes, and emotions found in literature.

Rooted in medieval European folk traditions, ballads were narrative songs telling stories of love, betrayal, adventure, or tragedy. Ballads are marked by a simple and direct storytelling style.

The term dumka comes from the Ukrainian word думка (thought) and originally referred to Slavic folk ballads with an emotional, melancholic undertone. In the 19th century, the dumka evolved into a classical music form, characterized by contrasting sections of reflective melancholy and lively dance rhythms.

Emerging in 13th-century Italy with poets like Petrarch, sonnets became a hallmark of lyrical poetry. Typically 14 lines long, they follow strict rhyme schemes. In both poetry and music, sonnets are reflections on the themes of love, beauty, mortality, and philosophical musings.

Each form reflects its cultural milieu—ballads embody collective oral traditions, dumkas express Slavic emotional depth, and sonnets articulate individual introspection. These forms have influenced modern poetry, music, and literature, blending traditional structures with contemporary themes and experimentation.

About artists:

Alexander R Adams is a classically trained bass-baritone singer, composer and voice teacher living in Tacoma, WA. Some of Alexander's recent opera performances include the role of Leporello in Don Giovanni with Aquilon Music Festival; Bartolo in Le nozze di Figaro, Count Ceprano in Rigoletto, Truffaldino in Ariadne auf Naxos with Vashon Opera; Alidoro in La Cenerentola with Kitsap Opera and Colline in La bohème with the Port Angeles Symphony Orchestra. Alexander is also a composer. His most recent project is a collection of art songs based on poems by Edgar Allan Poe, including “A Dream Within a Dream”, “Annabel Lee”, and “The Conqueror Worm” (available to listen via Spotify and Apple Music).

https://adams-voice.com/aboutme

Anne Botka is a cellist in Symphony Tacoma and is assistant principal cellist of the Olympia Symphony Orchestra. She also performed with Pacific Northwest Ballet for their recent productions, The Times Are Racing and The Nutcracker. She holds Bachelor of Music and Master of Music degrees from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music and lives in Olympia, Washington. https://www.facebook.com/abotka

Valentyn Lysenko brings back to life the 17-century Bandura, the iconic Ukrainian psaltery. He graduated from Kyiv National Music Academy. Valentyn is a master builder of his own instruments. Valentyn has appeared as a headliner on numerous events in Ukraine and the United States including live TV shows, solo and gala concerts, and art exhibitions. He performs classical works for the academic bandura and variations of folk music as well as his own compositions. The unique and wonderful sound of Valentyn's bandura creates a lofty and festive atmosphere. https://www.youtube.com/@bandurystv

Dilyara Oliver is a classical pianist. She completed her training in Piano Performance at Kazakh National Conservatory. Then she attended University of New Orleans where she earned a Master of Music in Piano Performance degree. Prior to her move to Olympia, WA in 2022, Dilyara was a faculty member at Loyola University New Orleans and New Orleans Center for Creative Arts. She also served as the president for the New Orleans Music Teachers Association. While in New Orleans, she has made guest appearances at the French Quarter Festival, Jazz and Heritage Festival, Snug Harbor, New Orleans Vocal Arts Chorale performances, MetroPelican Opera productions, Jefferson Performing Arts Society, Trinity Recital Series, Loyola Montage Series and others. https://www.facebook.com/the.pianistproject

Refreshments included into the ticket price.

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