With the world gaping at Russia's apparent preparations to wage war on Ukraine (this being a fast-moving situation, war may be upon them by the time you read this)--those people not busier gaping at the Academy Awards winners, of course--it seems an apt time to remember quite how rich the musical traditions of Ukraine are.
From Cherkassky to Lisitsa, Ukraine has a deep cultural identity and has given the world much.
Pianists hailing from Ukraine include Shura Cherkassky, Emil Gilels, Vladimir Horowitz, Valentina Lisitsa, Benno Moiseiwitsch and Sviatoslav Richter.
Their violinists have been no less distinguished, with Nathan Milstein, and David and Igor Oistrakh among their number.
Conductors include Felix Blumenfield (also a pianist, of course), Igor Markevitch and the outspoken Kirill Karabits.
There is no doubt that Russia, itself, has at least as rich a heritage, and artists from each country have been heroes in both. Perhaps, one hopes (and maybe in vain), both sides will draw on their universal love of culture to calm the tensions.
That's how one would love these things to work.
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