The Kindred Spirits — Music and Poetry for Ukraine concert, a fundraiser for the New Zealand Red Cross Ukraine Humanitarian Crisis Appeal, will be held next Sunday, from 2pm at St Paul’s Cathedral.
The concert is the brainchild of veteran musicians Sydney Manowitz (violin) and Donald Cullington (piano), who will join Fiona Pickering (flute), Catherine Daly-Reeve (soprano), Nick Tipa (poetry readings) and St Paul’s Cathedral Choir for an afternoon of music and poetry.
So, why Kindred Spirits?
"First, because our shared humanity unites us with the people of Ukraine as they face a winter of pain and suffering," Cullington said.
"Secondly, because the concert programme links poetry with music as poets and composers alike express the love, hope, joy and consolation that sustain humankind throughout the globe in times of trouble."
The similarities between Ukraine — on Europe’s eastern edge, and Ireland — on its western edge, with mainly rural societies, a strong sense of nationhood and deep cultural roots, had been an inspiration for the programme choices, he said.
"That is why our programme has so much Irish as well as Ukrainian content, and why one composer in particular, Arnold Bax, is represented several times.
"Though English-born, he felt a deep affinity both with Ireland and with Ukraine, and his music was greatly influenced by the landscape and culture of both countries," Cullington said.
The programme will feature John Rutter’s A Prayer for Ukraine (2022), works by Arnold Bax, Benjamin Britten, Frank Lambert, Sappho and Hamilton Harty, with poetry by WB Yeats, David Thomson, Frederic E Weatherly, Dannie Abse and more.
Entry is by koha (donation), cash only.
