Throughout the darkest times, music has been used to raise morale and inspire nations. We think of Vera Lynn’s rallying voice to the troops with “(There’ll Be Bluebirds Over) The White Cliffs of Dover” during WWII, or the rousing voice of Mahalia Jackson in times of celebration (JFK inauguration) or national mourning (Martin Luther King Jr. Funeral).
At the height of the pandemic, musicians continued to band together to make music to lift spirits during the lockdown. Author and composer, Peter Danish told us, “Last year, during the pandemic, my friend soprano Rita Harvey and myself recorded an album of sacred texts from various faiths set to new, original music, to try and bring some consolation to folks during the pandemic. The wonderful Infinito String Quartet of Kiev performed on the CD.”
He had no idea what was yet to come when Russia invaded Ukraine this February. His thoughts immediately went to his colleagues, “When the Russian invasion of Ukraine began, I reached out to them to see if they were safe. They were. I was hoping they were going to evacuate to safety, but they told me they had no plans of leaving. In fact, they continue to this very moment to work on their music for international clients – the proceeds from which, they are using to buy supplies for folks who are unable to leave and for the army.”
Millions have watched the heartwarming performances of musicians in bomb shelters during the invasion. “The strings you hear on this song were actually recorded in Kiev during the early days of the Russian invasion,” Peter told us. “These ladies are braver than words can possibly express. As bombs were falling in Ukraine, they recorded this magnificent string quartet for us. They were thrilled to hear one of their favorite hymns being done by Americans, to know that people are thinking of them. This song will be included in the upcoming SIMPLE PRAYERS FOR CHALLENGING TIMES VOL. 2.”
Peter shares how readers can support Infinito, “You can hire the ladies of Infinito directly to support them, or you can make a donation at musicsavesua.com. Please give our song a listen and keep the people of Ukraine in your prayers.”
Donate at musicsavesua.com
Another collaboration that began during quarantine was from nine international singers banding together to perform Vera Lynn’s beloved “We’ll Meet Again.” As Anastasia Lee shared, “All 9 of us started working on this last August, in 2021. We didn’t know that upon release of this collaboration in 2022, there would be a war in Europe.”
Anastasia Lee (USA), Agne G (Lithuania), Josephine Shaw (UK), Tatiana Marie (USA), Michaela Catapano (USA), Amelie Eiding (Sweden), Mireya Derksen (Netherlands), Aditi Iyer (India), Dixie (Poland) – “We’ll Meet Again”
Anastasia quickly got into action setting up a crowdfunding page and organizing a benefit concert for Ukraine for later this month. “I felt compelled to do something and organize something in Green Bay, Wisconsin — my hometown, to help out. I just turned 25 and graduated from college and now, being in the real world and having the opportunity to be an independent adult, being able to help other people, well that’s exactly what I want to do as often as I possibly can.
I am not of Ukrainian heritage. As a matter of fact, I have some slight Russian ancestry through my father’s father. None of the other participating artists are Ukrainian either. ACME Pickers, Molly Brown, Before Dawn, etc. So it wasn’t about any family ties. It’s just about helping fellow human beings where we can.”
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In England, Classical Reflection had already begun recording their single “A Gift of a Thistle” but it quickly took on a new meaning for them. “We have been so moved by the terrible situation Ukraine is facing at the moment that we are going to be donating all the profits from our single to the charity British Red Cross, who are helping give aid to Ukraine.”
Download “A Gift of a Thistle”
For mezzo-soprano Natalja Sticco, her contribution was deeply personal. “In my life I’ve been surrounded by the consequences of war and the struggle for freedom. From my family and birth under the USSR to marrying a US Military Veteran and into a military family; to the war in Ukraine now where I have friends and family in Ukraine, Russia, and Europe struggling to survive in many ways.
“Requiem for a Soldier” is my way of trying to support the families who are losing their loved ones to let them know, and generations of soldiers and their families who have suffered know, their sacrifices are appreciated. Without their contributions in the fight for freedom everywhere a once small girl is now able to live her dreams; and there are other like me everywhere. This is our song of thanks from the people who you never knew and whose lives you’ve changed.”
Download “Requiem for a Soldier”
Jazz pianist and composer James Norkawich was also quickly moved into action. He told us, “I was watching everything that was taking place on the news, and I as a musician began to ask the question, ‘What can I do?’ I first created the video to show the beauty of Ukraine as well as its people, and I wanted to create something that would be positive, motivating, and highlight the light at the end of this horrific tunnel. I began to compose ( I am a Classical and Jazz Pianist ) and the song by Leonard Cohen came over me. Hallelujah was the song I could hear over the images on the screen that I had just put together hours ago.”
After creating the instrumental track James reached out to Welsh soprano Ellen Williams asking her to collaborate and help raise more funds. “We spoke via social media and connected as musicians do. We both felt the same way about the cause and wanted to play a part. We since then have sent it out there in the media, and social media and hope more people will be moved to help be a solution to the problem. I have since day one been hooked up with World Central Kitchen because they are over in Ukraine doing the work of feeding people, one person at a time. Their work is endless and they need our help to feed those who have their back to the wall. I hope through music, we in the music community can all come together and do what we can to change the world. One note, One Person, One day at a time.”
Donate to World Central Kitchen.
