REVIEWS
Calgary Herald
May 3, 2025
Fantasy on a Theme by Beethoven
“ ...While the appearance of Yo-Yo Ma was the principal draw, the entire concert was greatly enjoyed, with audience response to the performance of Grieg’s Peer Gynt music equal to that of Ma. Completing the program was a fine Fantasy on a Theme of Beethoven (the main theme from the first movement of Beethoven’s first symphony) by Canadian composer Larysa Kuzmenko. This Fantasy was originally commissioned by the orchestra as a companion piece for a performance of the complete Beethoven symphonies several seasons ago. It too was very warmly received.
...The opening Beethoven Fantasy by Kuzmenko, who was in attendance, is, in terms of musical style, a throwback to roughly the time of Vaughan Williams or Holst. As a work of music, however, it is impressively well crafted and intelligently composed, the various clearly defined sections each expressing a specific mood through orchestration and thematic treatment. The control of harmony was especially impressive. The Fantasy made a suitable complement to the rest of the music of the evening in its alternation of interior reflection, contrasting with moments of brass-driven energy. Throughout the program, the various small solo parts for woodwind and brass were accurately and vividly performed, not the least the oboe colours in the Fantasy.
The applause for the Fantasy was genuine and warm, not merely dutiful, and served as an hors d’oeuvre to an evening capped with outstanding performances of the works by Elgar and Grieg. Smiles wreathed the faces of everyone as they put on their coats, having been delighted by another fine evening at the CPO.
— Kenneth DeLong
The Globe and Mail
Sept 22, 2011
Behold the Night
“Kuzmenko's new work, Behold the Night, is a two-movement setting of a pair of poems from Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream: "Over hill, over dale," and "Now the hungry lion roars." Scored for orchestra and children's choir, it's a harmonically conservative work – as charming and colourful as any film score by Danny Elfman or John Williams.
— Colin Eatock
The Wholenote Magazine
April 1 ~ May 7, 2010
Piano Concerto
“The Work is flamboyantly virtuosic and Petrowska Quilico takes full advantage of the opportunity to rise to the occasion... It is a well-crafted, dramatic work that would be well at home on any mainstream orchestral concert and, deserves to be heard more often.
— David Olds (DISCoveries Editor)
The Globe and Mail
Saturday, Nov. 22, 2008
Fantasy for Solo Cello
“The Kuzmenko Fantasy is an attractive, essentially tonal work, a genuine contribution to the repertoire, and easily the best of.. the things I've heard by this composer. It has rhythmic and melodic interest, real vitality and strong feelings, all of which Yamagami was able to convey. Each of its four movements has a distinct profile and its own characteristic devices: the Prelude is sombre; the Scherzo a buoyant jig; the Intermezzo wistful, with a memorable, brief plaintive passage in harmonics; the Toccata finale a bit episodic but decisive.
— Ken Winters
The Toronto Star
March 8, 2005
Dreams for Choir and Piano Trio
“...the scoring was so well judged that verbal clarity was never sacrificied and the union of violin, cello, and piano with the voices of a chamber choir sounded entirely natural.
— William Littler
The Chronicle Journal (Thunder Bay)
Saturday, November 27, 2004
Sea Without a Shore for Cello and Orchestra
“Kuzmenko's concerto, "Sea Without a Shore'", was well received. It's a good work, solid in construction with some effective orchestration. The slow finale .. is a highly evocative expression of the depth of Kuzmenko's imaginary sea. The orchestral textures are rich and dark, yet strangely still and chilling.
— Steven Baric
The Toronto Star
Friday, March 16, 2001
A Song Of Lilith
“Kuzmenko's exciting, absorbing and intriguing score made vivid programmatic work of the story components.
— Geoff Chapman
MEMORIAM
“Memoriam for the victims of Chornobyl”
LATEST REVIEWS
May 3, 2025
Fantasy on a Theme by Beethoven
“...The opening Beethoven Fantasy by Kuzmenko, who was in attendance, is, in terms of musical style, a throwback to roughly the time of Vaughan Williams or Holst. As a work of music, however, it is impressively well crafted and intelligently composed, the various clearly defined sections each expressing a specific mood through orchestration and thematic treatment. The control of harmony was especially impressive. The Fantasy made a suitable complement to the rest of the music of the evening in its alternation of interior reflection, contrasting with moments of brass-driven energy. Throughout the program, the various small solo parts for woodwind and brass were accurately and vividly performed, not the least the oboe colours in the Fantasy...
— Kenneth DeLong
LATEST COMPACT DISC RELEASES
Cellist Vernon Regehr presents previously unrecorded, unaccompanied works of six composers, all written in the past decade. As the title of the album suggests, the works display a highly varied array of expressive and emotional landscapes, utilizing the instrument's broad range of tone colour.
Kuzmenko's "One Sister Have I in Our House" for Women's chorus and piano was commissioned by the Tapestry Singers in joyful celebration of their sister singer Sandy Quarles, a gentle soul and a lively spirit. Recorded live at St. Matthews Episcopal Church.
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Kuzmenko's JUNO Nominated Piano Concerto on Compact Disc with Pianist "Christina Petrowska Quilico".
LINKS TO COLLEAGUES
Gary Kulesha - Canadian
Composer, Pianist, & Conductor.
Composer, Pianist, & Conductor.
Shauna Rolston - Canadian
Award winning cellist.
Award winning cellist.
Anton Kuerti - Canadian
Critcal Acclaim Pianist.
Critcal Acclaim Pianist.
Christina Petrowska Quilico - Canadian
Critcal Acclaim Pianist.
Critcal Acclaim Pianist.
Joy Kogawa - Canadian
Poet and Novelist,
Awarded the Order of Canada.
Poet and Novelist,
Awarded the Order of Canada.
Platon Promotions - Management and
recording company dedicated
in promoting performing musicians.
recording company dedicated
in promoting performing musicians.
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