Phenotypic Recordings presents Prayer for Ukraine, a new release showcasing original compositions by three Ukrainian composers: Zoltan Almashi, Vasyl Barvinsky, and Hanna Havrylets. Performed by the Vivere String Quartet, these pieces evoke the complex narratives of Ukraine’s past and present. This beautifully mastered and deeply felt album serves as a musical tribute to the resilience of the Ukrainian people amidst the hardships of war...

Prayer for Ukraine features the masterful work of three Ukrainian composers, performed by the Vivere String Quartet (Anna Bura and Dmytro Lysko, violins; Ustym Zhuk, viola; Dmytro Nikolayev, cello), an internationally acclaimed Ukrainian ensemble.

Among the notable pieces on the recording is 'Maria’s City,' a homage to Mariupol, composed by Zoltan Almashi from a bomb shelter in Kyiv during the Russian siege. Also featured are two works by Hanna Havrylets, who tragically died from lack of medical care at the onset of the invasion, and Vasyl Barvinsky's 'String Quartet,' which resonates with folk melodies and rhythms, celebrating the indomitable Ukrainian spirit.

This is a beautifully melancholic collection of pieces which focus on strength, resilience and the human spirit. It's performed with heartbreakingly emotional energy that is impossible not to instantly warm to.

A truly magical collection of traditionally composed modern classics.

All proceeds from the album will be donated to Revived Soldiers Ukraine, aiding in the medical rehabilitation of Ukrainian soldiers.

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Darren Rea