Blood at the Gate (A Prayer for Ukraine)
Piano Solo
I. Blood at the Gate “Blood at the Gates (A Prayer for Ukraine)” is a prayer for the courageous people of Ukraine as they struggle for their survival against the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Utilizing elements from Mussorgsky’s “Great Gate of Kiev” from Pictures at an Exhibition as an interrupting force through which the prayer progressions, the work ends with a tender moment built from the opening theme of the Ukrainian National Anthem.
Duration: 8:30
II. Elegy (For Bucha, Ukraine) On February 24, 2022, the Russian military invaded the sovereign state of Ukraine. March 31, 2022, saw the retreat of the Russian forces from the city of Bucha. In their wake, they left massive destruction and, to date, 412 dead. Of those 412 deaths, 50 of them have been designated as unlawful civilian killings by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) (as of April 9, 2022). It is likely, that the number of designated unlawful civilian killings will rise as the investigation continues. According to Webster’s Dictionary, n elegy is a poem of serious reflection, typically a lament for the dead. The elegy uses the “Memory Eternal” hymn frequently performed at Ukrainian Orthodox funerals. This work is intended to honor the dead of the Russian invasion of Bucha Ukraine.
Duration: 4:30
III. Both Eyes Seeing “Both Eyes Seeing” is describing the effect of seeing the Russian War Atrocities on television shortly after the occur, and sometimes as they occur. The slogan “never again” is stated repeatedly on the anniversaries of the WW II atrocities. Yet, genocide and other atrocities keep happening. Hopefully, this time, with “both eyes seeing”, the world will put an end to this craziness.
Duration: 6:00
IV. Tears in the Dust “Tears in the Dust” is an elegy for Mariupol, Ukraine (2022). The hard-fought battle and eventual near complete destruction and fall of the city of Mariupol to the Russian military is both a sad moment in history and a testament to the Ukrainian fighters who held off the Russian Military despite enormous odds. The work utilizes an opening distant church bell motto, followed by a second section that utilizes motives from the Ukrainian National Anthem. The final section returns to the opening bell material raising in pitch to illustrate the prayer of a free Ukraine. Performer’s Note: Maintain the almost painfully slow tempo indicated illustrating the pain of defeat and loss.
Duration: 4:45
V. War Variations (Dona Nobis Pacem) “War Variations” is a series of variations on the various phrases of “Dona Nobis Pacem” (Grant Us Peace). War so often is the result of one madman and his enablers attempting to seize power from others while both bystanders and combatants alike simply want peace. War after war, year after year, this scenario continues to play out. Grant us Peace!
Duration: 4:30
Total Duration: 28:15
Piano Solo
I. Blood at the Gate “Blood at the Gates (A Prayer for Ukraine)” is a prayer for the courageous people of Ukraine as they struggle for their survival against the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Utilizing elements from Mussorgsky’s “Great Gate of Kiev” from Pictures at an Exhibition as an interrupting force through which the prayer progressions, the work ends with a tender moment built from the opening theme of the Ukrainian National Anthem.
Duration: 8:30
II. Elegy (For Bucha, Ukraine) On February 24, 2022, the Russian military invaded the sovereign state of Ukraine. March 31, 2022, saw the retreat of the Russian forces from the city of Bucha. In their wake, they left massive destruction and, to date, 412 dead. Of those 412 deaths, 50 of them have been designated as unlawful civilian killings by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) (as of April 9, 2022). It is likely, that the number of designated unlawful civilian killings will rise as the investigation continues. According to Webster’s Dictionary, n elegy is a poem of serious reflection, typically a lament for the dead. The elegy uses the “Memory Eternal” hymn frequently performed at Ukrainian Orthodox funerals. This work is intended to honor the dead of the Russian invasion of Bucha Ukraine.
Duration: 4:30
III. Both Eyes Seeing “Both Eyes Seeing” is describing the effect of seeing the Russian War Atrocities on television shortly after the occur, and sometimes as they occur. The slogan “never again” is stated repeatedly on the anniversaries of the WW II atrocities. Yet, genocide and other atrocities keep happening. Hopefully, this time, with “both eyes seeing”, the world will put an end to this craziness.
Duration: 6:00
IV. Tears in the Dust “Tears in the Dust” is an elegy for Mariupol, Ukraine (2022). The hard-fought battle and eventual near complete destruction and fall of the city of Mariupol to the Russian military is both a sad moment in history and a testament to the Ukrainian fighters who held off the Russian Military despite enormous odds. The work utilizes an opening distant church bell motto, followed by a second section that utilizes motives from the Ukrainian National Anthem. The final section returns to the opening bell material raising in pitch to illustrate the prayer of a free Ukraine. Performer’s Note: Maintain the almost painfully slow tempo indicated illustrating the pain of defeat and loss.
Duration: 4:45
V. War Variations (Dona Nobis Pacem) “War Variations” is a series of variations on the various phrases of “Dona Nobis Pacem” (Grant Us Peace). War so often is the result of one madman and his enablers attempting to seize power from others while both bystanders and combatants alike simply want peace. War after war, year after year, this scenario continues to play out. Grant us Peace!
Duration: 4:30
Total Duration: 28:15
Piano Solo
I. Blood at the Gate “Blood at the Gates (A Prayer for Ukraine)” is a prayer for the courageous people of Ukraine as they struggle for their survival against the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Utilizing elements from Mussorgsky’s “Great Gate of Kiev” from Pictures at an Exhibition as an interrupting force through which the prayer progressions, the work ends with a tender moment built from the opening theme of the Ukrainian National Anthem.
Duration: 8:30
II. Elegy (For Bucha, Ukraine) On February 24, 2022, the Russian military invaded the sovereign state of Ukraine. March 31, 2022, saw the retreat of the Russian forces from the city of Bucha. In their wake, they left massive destruction and, to date, 412 dead. Of those 412 deaths, 50 of them have been designated as unlawful civilian killings by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) (as of April 9, 2022). It is likely, that the number of designated unlawful civilian killings will rise as the investigation continues. According to Webster’s Dictionary, n elegy is a poem of serious reflection, typically a lament for the dead. The elegy uses the “Memory Eternal” hymn frequently performed at Ukrainian Orthodox funerals. This work is intended to honor the dead of the Russian invasion of Bucha Ukraine.
Duration: 4:30
III. Both Eyes Seeing “Both Eyes Seeing” is describing the effect of seeing the Russian War Atrocities on television shortly after the occur, and sometimes as they occur. The slogan “never again” is stated repeatedly on the anniversaries of the WW II atrocities. Yet, genocide and other atrocities keep happening. Hopefully, this time, with “both eyes seeing”, the world will put an end to this craziness.
Duration: 6:00
IV. Tears in the Dust “Tears in the Dust” is an elegy for Mariupol, Ukraine (2022). The hard-fought battle and eventual near complete destruction and fall of the city of Mariupol to the Russian military is both a sad moment in history and a testament to the Ukrainian fighters who held off the Russian Military despite enormous odds. The work utilizes an opening distant church bell motto, followed by a second section that utilizes motives from the Ukrainian National Anthem. The final section returns to the opening bell material raising in pitch to illustrate the prayer of a free Ukraine. Performer’s Note: Maintain the almost painfully slow tempo indicated illustrating the pain of defeat and loss.
Duration: 4:45
V. War Variations (Dona Nobis Pacem) “War Variations” is a series of variations on the various phrases of “Dona Nobis Pacem” (Grant Us Peace). War so often is the result of one madman and his enablers attempting to seize power from others while both bystanders and combatants alike simply want peace. War after war, year after year, this scenario continues to play out. Grant us Peace!
Duration: 4:30
Total Duration: 28:15