Previous events

Music at the Institute presents

Rediscovering Thomas “Foma” de Hartmann

The work of Ukrainian-born composer, Thomas “Foma” de Hartmann, spans classical, folk, and avant-garde styles, making him a key figure in both Ukrainian music history and the broader 20th-century classical tradition. His early music reflects Romantic influences, while his later works incorporate Impressionist elements and diverse styles, including Eastern melodies, as seen in his notable symphonies and concerti. De Hartmann’s compositions ultimately reflect his quest for meaning, engaging listeners with their depth and variety.

Palomar College Performing Arts Department • Concert Hour Series presents

Unbreakable Spirit: Music of Resilience

GRAMMY® Award-winning pianist Nadia Shpachenko will perform beloved works by Frédéric Chopin paired with Chopin-inspired pieces by Ukrainian composers. The program will also include new compositions by Ludmila Yurina and Ethan Gans-Morse about the war in Ukraine, Nadia’s home country.

Anima Mundi Productions • Heart of Humanity Concert Series presents

Unbreakable Spirit: Music of Resilience

GRAMMY® Award-winning pianist Nadia Shpachenko will perform beloved works by Frédéric Chopin paired with Chopin-inspired pieces by Ukrainian composers. The program will also include Lewis Spratlan’s Chesterfield Gorge Rag from Nadia’s “Invasion: Music and Art for Ukraine” CD, as well as World Premieres of new compositions by Ludmila Yurina and Ethan Gans-Morse about the war in Ukraine, Nadia’s home country.

On October 25th the Ashland Unitarian Church will host a Ukrianian Fall Cultural Fair from 6:30 - 8:30 pm. Grammy-winning pianist Nadia Shpachenko will be featured during the free event.

The event is a collaborative production of Anima Mundi, Uniting for Ukraine Rogue Valley and the Ashland Sviatohirsk Aid Project (Ashland’s Ukrainian Sister City). Also, the Cultural Fair will offer performances by celebrated local Ukrainian pianist Iryna Kudielina, the Ukrainian vocal ensemble Kalynonka, and others, as well as a sale of baked goods, textile arts, and paintings by members of Ashland's local Ukrainian refugee community.

Cal Poly Pomona music department presents

Shpachenko and Friends Chamber Music Festival featuring Cal Poly Pomona professor Nadia Shpachenko and distinguished guest artist Jonathan Russell

Unbreakable Spirit: Music of Resilience

Jonathan Russell, composer and clarinetist

Nadia Shpachenko, pianist

Composer, clarinetist, bass clarinetist, conductor, teacher and writer Jonathan Russell will join Cal Poly Pomona professor and GRAMMY® Award-winning pianist Nadia Shpachenko in a moving concert titled Unbreakable Spirit: Music of Resilience. First half of the concert will feature Russell’s Still Here for clarinet and piano commissioned by a consortium of 52 clarinetists, inspired by the resilience of the Ukrainian people during the current Russian invasion; Olivier Messiaen’s Abyss of the Birds from Quartet for the End of Time, written by Messiaen at the prisoner-of-war camp in Görlitz, Germany during World War II; and previews of new compositions by Ludmila Yurina and Ethan Gans-Morse about the war in Ukraine, Shpachenko’s home country. In the second half Dr. Shpachenko will perform beloved works by Frédéric Chopin paired with Chopin-inspired pieces by Ukrainian composers.

Solo piano works from Shpachenko's upcoming soccer-inspired album "The Beautiful Game"

World Premiere of La Nuit Étoilée: Nocturne after Van Gogh for piano, harp and string orchestra with Seattle Chamber Orchestra, Lorenzo Marasso, conductor, Alison Bjorkedal, harp.

Solo piano works from Shpachenko's upcoming soccer-inspired album "The Beautiful Game"

A recital and workshop by GRAMMY® Award-winning pianist Nadia Shpachenko and the Cal Poly Pomona Piano Ensemble. Featuring selections from works for solo piano/multiple pianos by Ukrainian and American composers Zoltan Almashi, Christopher Cerrone, Ian Dicke, Oliver Dubon, Tom Flaherty, Evgeni Orkin, Nimrod Borenstein, Madelyn Byrne, Harold Meltzer, Dana Kaufman, Samara Rice, David Sanford, Isaac Schankler, Adam Schoenberg, Evan Ware, Pamela Z, and Jack Van Zandt.