“Empowered”: Kyiv Camerata Presents Ukraine’s First Vinyl Release Dedicated to Contemporary Classical Music
On June 2, Kyiv hosted the presentation of Empowered — a landmark recording by the Kyiv Camerata and the first Ukrainian vinyl release devoted exclusively to contemporary classical music.
Produced in partnership with MHP and the MHP-Hromadi Foundation, the album represents a significant step in bringing contemporary Ukrainian music to international audiences and preserving it as part of the nation’s cultural heritage.
The record features works by leading Ukrainian composers Zoltan Almashi, Oleksandr Rodin, Oleksandr Kozarenko, and Volodymyr Zubytsky, performed by the Kyiv Camerata under the baton of its Music Director and Chief Conductor, Keri-Lynn Wilson. The recording features acclaimed Ukrainian musicians Bohdana Pivnenko (violin) and Dmytro Tavanets (piano) as soloists.
Several of the works featured on the album have been performed by Kyiv Camerata at Carnegie Hall in New York and the Berlin Philharmonie, bringing contemporary Ukrainian music to some of the world’s most prestigious stages.
The album was recorded by sound engineer Maksym Hladetskyi at the Ukrainian Radio Recording House in Kyiv during wartime, becoming both an artistic achievement and a testament to the resilience of Ukrainian culture.
The vinyl release forms part of the large-scale multimedia project Empowered, which tells the stories of individuals whose talent, dedication, and resilience are shaping contemporary Ukraine. The presentation included a screening of the documentary short film Empowered. Bohdana Pivnenko, directed by Kadym Tarasov, as well as the opening of a section of the accompanying photo exhibition featuring works by renowned Ukrainian cinematographer and photographer Serhii Mykhalchuk.
A special guest of the event was Maestro Wilson’s husband, Peter Gelb, General Manager of the Metropolitan Opera, whose presence underscored the growing international recognition of Ukrainian culture and its place on the world’s leading stages.
Speaking at the presentation, Bohdana Pivnenko, General Director and Artistic Director of Kyiv Camerata, said:
"For us, this record is far more than a musical release. It is a document of our time, created in Ukraine during the war. It carries the voices of Ukrainian composers and musicians to the world as testimony to our culture, dignity, and resilience. At a moment when Ukraine is fighting for its freedom, culture is also part of this struggle. It preserves our identity, counters Russian propaganda, and reminds the world of the true face of Ukraine. We are deeply grateful to everyone who helped bring this music to life and ensure that it is heard far beyond our borders."
Empowered is more than an album. It is a testament to the enduring strength of Ukrainian culture, which continues to evolve and inspire, despite the challenges of war. The recording stands as an artistic document of its era and an important contribution to the preservation and international promotion of contemporary Ukrainian music.
The Kyiv Camerata extends its sincere gratitude to the project’s author and producer, Andrii Rizol, the team of the Watch Ukrainian! Association, the MHP-Hromadi Charitable Foundation, MHP, D.Hub Art Gallery, and philanthropist Oleksandr Pochkun for their invaluable support in bringing this project to life.
Album Credits
Producer: Andrii Rizol
Project Curator: Oleksandra Andrusyk
Sound Engineer: Maksym Hladetskyi
Cover Photograph: Serhii Mykhalchuk
Performed by the National Ensemble of Soloists Kyiv Camerata
Music Director and Chief Conductor: Keri-Lynn Wilson
Soloists: Bohdana Pivnenko (violin), Dmytro Tavanets (piano)
We are grateful to our partners, friends, and audiences who help Ukrainian music resonate across the world. Ukrainian music stands for the fundamental right to be free to create and to be heard.
