The Ceasefire Centre for Civilian Rights warmly invite you to their first fundraising concert, to raise money in support of their work helping civilians in conflict zones across the Middle East and North Africa, and Ukraine. The concert features internationally acclaimed Ukrainian pianist, Sasha Grynyuk, and The Morello Quartet, performing a uniquely themed programme.
Ceasefire is a UK-based registered charity whose main aim is to tackle violations of civil rights and humanitarian law in zones of conflict. We engage with our partners in the field to monitor and report human rights violations through our technological civilian-led monitoring systems, so that individuals can be held accountable, and reparations can begin to take place. You can read more about Ceasefire on our website by clicking here.
The concert theme centres around several composers of significance in relation to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Jewish-Ukrainian composer Dymtro Klebanov (1907-1986) was a casualty of Soviet-era cultural suppression and anti-Semitism, and is among the scores of musicians whose works are largely forgotten and rarely performed. Fortunate not to have been among those artists and intellectuals arrested, killed, or sent to forced labour camps during Stalin’s brutal reign, Klebanov understood that his career and survival depended on producing works that glorified Soviet accomplishments. But he also managed to produce compositions that reveal a boundless imagination, a spirited vivacity, and melodic confidence, all of which justify his inclusion in the classical canon. One of these works was his String Quartet No. 4.
Chopin is also of particular significance as a composer. He grew up in Warsaw but left Poland in 1831, shortly before the Polish popular uprising against the tsarist oppressors. It was during this period that he wrote his first piano concerto aged twenty years old, whilst Europe witnessed political repression, unrest, and conservatism. In this atmosphere, the great significance of national cultures in shaping national consciousness and the struggle for independence became increasingly important and apparent, which also extended to the arts and music.
The Morello Quartet was formed by four good friends and graduates of The Royal Academy of Music in 2019 - Anna Caban (violin), Ana Popescu-Deutsch (violin), Kesari Pundarika (viola), and Anil Umer (cello). Their inaugural concert was part of St. James’ Concert series in Paddington in March the following year. Since then they’ve performed as part of ‘Enescu and Friends’ concert series at the Romanian Cultural Institute in London, at the Shipwright Festival in Deptford, the Artisti con Brio series at the Candid Arts Trust and in many places around the UK, including Wandsworth, High Wycombe, North Aston and Aylesbury. Recent engagements include a cross-sensory concert at the Tea House Theatre in Vauxhall where a three-course meal themed on the programme was served alongside the performance. The group is passionate about performing varied and diverse programmes combining classical, folk-inspired, and contemporary music. Listen to the quartet on their website here.
Multi-award winning concert pianist Sasha Grynyuk was born in Kyiv, Ukraine. Winner of over ten International competitions, prizes and awards, Sasha was chosen as a ‘Rising Star’ for BBC Music Magazine and International Piano Magazine. His successes also include First Prizes in the Grieg International Piano Competition and the BNDES International Piano Competition, in addition to winning the Guildhall School of Music’s most prestigious award – the Gold Medal – previously won by such artists as Jacqueline Du Pré and Bryn Terfel.
Sasha has performed around the world in many major venues including Wigmore Hall, Barbican Hall, Royal Festival Hall, Queen Elizabeth Hall (London), Bridgewater Hall (Manchester), Wiener Konzerthaus, Weil Recital Hall (Carnegie Hall, New York), Teatro Real (Rio de Janeiro) and Salle Cortot (Paris). He has performed with such orchestras as the Royal Philharmonic, Bergen Philharmonic, Orchestra Sinfonica Brasiliera and the National Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine. Check out Sasha's videos on his website here.
There will also be a raffle with many fantastic prizes up for grabs, a short talk by a member of our charity, and plenty of wine and nibbles to enjoy for a small donation.