The Bells: a tribute to Ukraine

The Bells: a tribute to ukraine

Instrumentation: solo piano version; 4-hands piano version

Duration: 5 minutes

Composed: 2024

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My wife, Dasha Koltunyuk, was born in Odesa and has always felt her Ukrainian heritage strongly; it has become even more pronounced since Russia invaded her sovereign homeland in 2022.

To honor the strength and resilience of Ukrainians — who, at the time of this writing, continue to struggle for their survival and freedom — I composed The Bells, a meditation on themes from Ukrainian composer Mykola Leontovich’s Shchedryk (a traditional Ukrainian New Year celebration song that was later adapted into “Carol of the Bells”) and the Ukrainian national anthem (Shche ne vmerla Ukraiyina).

Слава Україні!

Home Together

Home Together

Instrumentation: piano duet (4 hands, 1 piano)

Duration: 4 minutes

Composed: 2020

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I wrote this duet in celebration of my first wedding anniversary — which my wife, Dasha Koltunyuk, and I celebrated during the early months of the COVID-19 lockdown. The silver lining of our enforced isolation during the pandemic was the precious time we were able to spend with each other.

First Dance

First Dance

Instrumentation: piano duet (4 hands, 1 piano)

Duration: 5 minutes

Composed: 2019

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My wife, Dasha Koltunyuk, and I played this celebratory piece together at our wedding; it was our first dance as a married couple.