Konstantyn Napolov
Konstantyn Napolov is one of today’s most outstanding percussionists. An impassioned pioneer and promoter of new music, he closely cooperates with leading composers. Internationally, he i s in great demand both for solo recitals and percussion concertos with orchestra, as artist in residence in chamber music projects, and as a jury member in important competitions.
Educated in Kyiv, The Hague, Strasbourg, and at prestigious US institutions, he has studied with the world’s greatest musicians and been awarded many prizes. Still, he is constantly in search of new and unheard sounds. In performances throughout Europe and beyond, as a soloist and in various ensembles, he plays repertoire and instruments from all over the world and the entire music history.
Whether live, in his video registrations, or on CD, Konstantyn never fails to astonish audiences and the press alike with the imaginative power of his playing and his virtuosity.
Anna Fedorova
Anna Fedorova is a Ukrainian pianist who has performed on concert stages worldwide, including piano concertos with the Rotterdam Philharmonic in De Doelen, the Ukrainian Freedom Orchestra at the BBC Proms, and with the Verbier Festival Orchestra at the Verbier Festival.
Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Anna helped raise well over 500,000 euros for humanitarian aid organizations in March and April 2022 alone. In that same year, she founded the Davidsbündler Music Academy in The Hague together with Nicholas Schwartz to offer private lessons to talented young musicians.
Anna graduated from the Lysenko School of Music in Kyiv and the Accademia Pianistica in Imola, Italy. She received her Master’s degree and Artist Diploma at the Royal College of Music, London.
Lendvay Ensemble
Lendvay Ensemble consists of renowned musicians who perform as soloists, chamber musicians and principals with major orchestras at home and abroad.
Jozsef Lendvay, viool
Sergei Starzhinsky, viool
Julia Dinerstein, altviool
Katja Dirven-Didychenko, cello
John van Lierop, contrabas
József Lendvay
As the son of one of the most renowned Romani violinists, Csócsi Lendvay, it’s no surprise that József Lendvay also chose the musical path. Despite growing up in a musical Romani family, József Lendvay received intensive classical training, which profoundly influenced his unique sound. He studied at the Béla Bartók Conservatory and the Franz Liszt Academy of Music in Budapest under Miklos Szenthelyi, and participated in masterclasses with renowned musicians such as Yehudi Menuhin and Ida Haendel. Lendvay’s virtuosity and brilliant violin playing, rooted in folk music heritage, have earned him praise in the international music scene. As concertmaster of the Philharmonie der Nationen under Justus Frantz, and in performances with orchestras like the Rotterdam Philharmonic and the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Lendvay has garnered extensive stage experience. His recordings, including ‘Lendvay and Friends’ released by Sony/BMG in 2005, have received acclaim, with one earning an Echo Klassik Preis. Lendvay plays a violin crafted by Antonio Stradivari in 1693. Since 2023, József has been residing in Rotterdam, actively engaging in solo and chamber music performances with esteemed musicians like Anna Fedorova, Katja Dirven, Letizia Sciarone, and John van Lierop.
Sergiy Starzhynskiy began violin lessons at the L. Van Beethoven Music School in Kharkiv at the age of six. He later studied at the I.P. Kotlyarevsky Fine Art Institute in Kharkiv under professors Mark Mogilevsky, Adolf Leschinsky, and Grigory Kuperman. In 1993, he obtained his master’s degree with a specialization in solo, chamber, and orchestral performance. From 2002, he studied at the Conservatory of Ghent under Professor M. Kugel. Sergiy has won prizes at various competitions, including the international “Golden Autumn” chamber music competition in Kyiv and the quartet competition in Ghent. He has participated in competitions such as the Jozef Szigeti Competition (Hungary), the Tibor Varga Competition (Switzerland), and the “Premio Paganini” competition (Genoa, Italy). As a soloist, he has performed with orchestras including the Kharkiv Philharmonic Orchestra, the Lugansk Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Kharkiv Symphony Orchestra. After his studies, Sergiy served as assistant concertmaster of the Kharkiv State Opera Orchestra, followed by positions with the Radio Symphony Orchestra and the Radio Chamber Philharmonic. Since 2015, Sergiy has been employed by the Residentie Orkest. In addition to orchestral work, Sergiy regularly performs as a soloist and participates in various chamber music concerts.
Julia Dinerstein started violin lessons with her father, Boris Dinerstein, and later studied violin at the Tchaikovsky Conservatory with Elizabeth Gilels and Andrei Korsakov, and viola with Mikhail Kugel at the Maastricht Conservatory.
She is a sought-after chamber musician and a member of The Hague String Trio. Julia has performed at numerous international music festivals as both a soloist and chamber musician.
Currently, Julia teaches viola at Codarts Rotterdam, Maastricht Conservatory, Musica Mundi School (Belgium), ARTEZ Conservatory (Arnhem /Zwolle), and the Academy of Musical Talent (Utrecht), as well as violin/viola at the Hellendaal Music Institute (Rotterdam).
She is a popular instructor at summer festivals in Europe and has conducted masterclasses worldwide. Many of Julia’s students have won prizes in national and international competitions.
Julia is the 2nd prize winner of the Beethoven International Viola Competition (Austria).
Katja Dirven-Didychenko is a Dutch-Ukrainian cellist. She received her classical training at the conservatory in her hometown of Kiev, Ukraine, where she graduated with honors under the guidance of Prof. V. Chervov. Katja has participated in various competitions, including the International Lysenko Music Competition for young musicians in Kiev, where she won prizes.
She continued her studies in the Netherlands with Marien van Staalen, Dmitri Ferschtman, and Herre-Jan Stegenga. At the Rotterdam Conservatory (now CODARTS), Katja obtained her Master’s degree in Chamber Music and Solo Performance.
As an orchestral musician, Katja has performed with numerous Dutch and international professional orchestras such as the Philharmonie Zuid-Nederland, Sinfonia Rotterdam, and Camerata Amsterdam. She regularly appears at festivals such as Musik:Landschaft Westfalen and Dordrecht Cellofestival.
Katja’s passion for orchestral playing developed at a young age, and she played with various professional orchestras during her studies, including the Lyatoshinsky Ensemble, Kiev Soloist Ensemble, and the Lysenko Youth Orchestra. She has toured Europe with the latter and performed as a soloist. She has also released a CD with this orchestra.
She frequently performs as a soloist and chamber musician in various formations with top musicians from the Netherlands and abroad.
Some recent solo performances with orchestra include:
- A. Vivaldi, concerto for two violins and cello L’estro armonico, Op. 3 (No.11), Kammerphilharmonie Musik:Landschaft Westfalen – August 2015
- P.I. Tchaikovsky, Variations on a Rococo Theme, with Philharmonie Musik:Landschaft Westfalen, conductor M. Panteleev – August 2019
- J.S. Bach, double concerto in D minor for two violins, Kammerphilharmonie Musik:Landschaft Westfalen – November 2023
Chamber music is an integral part of Katja’s life, and she is always looking for new opportunities and challenges in this area. She forms chamber music ensembles such as Lendvay Ensemble, Dirven-Lendvay Duo, and frequently collaborates with renowned musicians such as József Lendvay, Mikhail Zemtsov, Igor and Vesna Gruppman, Roderigo Robles de Medina, Gil Sharon, John van Lierop, and the Daniel Quartet.
In 2020, during the Beethoven Year, Katja and Roderigo released complete sonatas for keyboard and cello by L. van Beethoven. She also regularly performs in chamber music series at various venues.
As a versatile cellist, Katja is not limited to classical music. She has provided musical support for shows and recordings by renowned singer Wende Snijders. Wende’s debut CD ‘Quand tu dors,’ on which Katja collaborated, won an Edison Award.
In Rotterdam, Katja has an extensive teaching practice and serves as a cello teacher and conductor at the Rotterdam Hellendaal Music Institute and the Dordrecht Cellofestival.
Katja Dirven-Didychenko website
John van Lierop is the principal double bassist of Sinfonia Rotterdam. Previously, he held principal positions with the Limburg Symphony Orchestra, Stavanger Symphony Orchestra, Swedish Chamber Orchestra, and the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra. As a guest principal, he has collaborated with renowned orchestras such as the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra London, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, BBC Wales, and Brussels Philharmonic. This season, he combines his role at Sinfonia Rotterdam with serving as principal bassist at the Belgian National Orchestra. He has taught at institutions including the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, Douglas Academy, and St. Andrews University, and has conducted masterclasses worldwide.
United Ukrainian Ballet Company
Music: “The Water Poem” by Ram Dass & AWARÉ
Composed by Ram Dass Khalsa, Bogdan Djukic, and Matias Da Via
Choreographer: Borodai Dmytro
It’s just what I feel, my gut, my inspiration, my strength, my personality, tenderness and love. During creation, I wanted to get closer to national Ukrainian shades, to show their will, strength and indomitability, but I want everyone to see only their soul vibrations. Felt our vibrations more precisely and remembered myself, found something quite similar and important for understanding.
Iryna Krasnenko (Soprano)
Iryna Krasnenko, a Ukrainian opera singer. Her musical journey began with studies at prestigious music academies in Ukraine, Lithuania, and Austria.
In 2017, Iryna won first place at the “Platinum Orpheus” International Competition in Kyiv and reached the finals of competitions in Belarus and Belgium. Notably, she received the Bellini Prize at the Aequo Concorso Internationale Lions di Canto Lirico in Italy in 2020.
In 2018, Iryna displayed her talent on a different platform, reaching the finals of the Lithuanian TV show “The Voice.” Continuing her success, she emerged as a finalist in the TV Dutch opera competition “Aria” in 2022.
Iryna as a freelance singer, captivated audiences in Poland, Lithuania, Ukraine, Austria, China, the Netherlands, Germany, and Belgium. Collaborating with artists like Marco Bakker in the Netherlands has further elevated her reputation.
Also, Iryna is committed to philanthropy, actively participating in charity concerts and supporting causes, especially those benefiting Ukraine.
Hennadiy Bezyazychyny
Hennadiy Bezyazychyny was born and grew up in Ukraine. Diploma of Master of Music (M.M.) in the specialty “Piano Performance” at the Donetsk State Academy of Music named after S.S. Prokofiev and Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) in the specialty “Piano Performance”. While still studying at the conservatory, he started working as a concertmaster in the class of orchestral conducting. After graduation, he worked at the Uman School of Music as a teacher and concertmaster. He gained popularity as a composer and author of arrangements of popular melodies. Published author’s collections are popular both in Ukraine and abroad.
Now he actively performs concerts throughout Europe. Organizes concerts in the Netherlands. Participates in various musical events. Accompanies the Pepperoni choir in The Hague, accompanist at master classes at the Davidsbundler Music Academy. He worked at the Amare Conservatory as an accompanist in the drama class. He also regularly gives piano lessons.
Jeyana Morozenko and Thomas Debellemaniere
Jeyana had to leave their home in March 2022 because the medical equipment that’s keeping them alive became unavailable in Ukraine since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion. Their whole family stayed in or near Mykolaïv — fighting, volunteering, working under shelling. Jeyana is currently studying at The Royal Conservatoire in The Hague, writing and performing music about the pain and courage of their people. They think artists have great power and great responsibility in a time of war. By being sincere and accurate, Jeyana tries to raise awareness and inspire people to support Ukraine as long as needed.
Jeyana Morozenko – authentic performance of two Ukrainian folk songs:
1. “The Crane” is about missing home: “How can I hush my scream? How can I fly? I’m separated from my family Like a stone thrown into the water.”
2. “The Green Oak” is a lament for a fallen hero: “Why are you bowing down, green oak? Why are you so sad, old father? The green oak doesn’t bow by itself, the wind bends it. The father doesn’t ache for no reason, a tragedy makes him.” Both songs were learned from recordings of Uliana Kot (Krupove village, Rivne oblast).
Jeyana Morozenko – “Rainbows” (performed by Thomas Debellemaniere) I wish I could write music about rainbows and unicorns instead of the war. “Rainbows” is a nostalgic requiem for my youth and naivety lost because of Russian aggression.
