Rediscovering Thomas “Foma” de Hartmann with Matt Haimovitz and Solomiya Ivakhiv

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.

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Multi-Grammy nominated cellist Matt Haimovitz is celebrated as a musical pioneer, known for reimagining familiar repertoire, championing new music, and fostering innovative collaborations. He mentors young cellists at Schulich School of Music of McGill University in Montreal and is the first John Cage Fellow at The New School’s Mannes School of Music. Haimovitz debuted at 13 with Zubin Mehta and the Israel Philharmonic and has performed with top orchestras, including the Berlin Philharmonic, New York Philharmonic, and Boston Symphony Orchestra. His latest project, THE PRIMAVERA PROJECT, encompasses 81 new commissions and was showcased at the 59th Venice Biennale. His many honors include the Trailblazer Award from the American Music Center, the Avery Fisher Career Grant, and many others. The August 2024 Pentatone CD release of “Thomas de Hartmann Rediscovered” includes Matt Haimovitz's commercial premiere of de Hartmann’s Cello Concerto, Op. 57, a work he has recently performed in four major cities in Ukraine.

Solomiya Ivakhiv, Professor of Violin and Viola and Head of Strings at University of Connecticut, and Professor of Violin at Longy School of Music of Bard College. Named Honored (Merited) Artist of Ukraine, her native country’s highest cultural honor (2021). Artistic Director of Music at the Institute (MATI) concert series in NYC, Artistic Director of Caspian Monday Music Festival in Greensboro, VT. Recordings for NAXOS, Brilliant Classics, and Centaur Records, featuring works of Ukrainian composers as well as Haydn, Hummel, and Mendelssohn. Champion of new music, with world premieres of works by David Ludwig, John B. Hedges, David Dzubay, Bohdan Kryvopust, Leonid Hrabovsky, Yevhen Stankovych, and Oleksandr Shchetynsky.

Grammy Award-winning pianist Nadia Shpachenko is celebrated for her “magical, truly original, and touching” performances, showcasing innovative pieces with unique sonic qualities. She has performed at renowned venues, including Carnegie Hall and Disney Hall, and with orchestras across Europe and the Americas. A passionate advocate for contemporary music, Nadia has premiered over 100 works by various composers. Her album Invasion: Music and Art for Ukraine features premiere recordings benefiting humanitarian aid, while The Poetry of Places won the Best Classical Compendium Grammy Award. On February 23, 2024 Nadia released Ukrainian composer Valentin Silvestrov’s Postludium No. 3 with cellist Matt Haimovitz to commemorate the two-year anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. A native of Kharkiv, Ukraine, Nadia holds a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Southern California. She is a Steinway Artist and professor of music at Cal Poly Pomona University.

In its 36th season, Music at the Institute presents world-class musicians from Ukraine, Europe and the US, performing in the unique setting of the concert hall in the Ukrainian Institute of America’s historic, landmark building. Currently under the leadership of Artistic Director, Solomiya Ivakhiv, the MATI series presents audiences with a selection of familiar chamber music repertoire and introduces lesser-known as well as established works by Ukrainian composers. Over its history, MATI has commissioned compositions by emerging and recognized Ukrainian composers, in celebration or commemoration of milestones in Ukrainian and the Institute’s history.