Yevhen Stankovych

Yevhen Stankovych is one of the key figures in the contemporary musical culture of Eastern Europe. Like his Ukrainian born predecessor Sergei Prokofiev, from his very first compositions, Stankovych established himself a composer of great dramatic talent. His creative works are extraordinary in their portrayal of emotional freedom, mastery of the subject matter, and in the versatility of form. The honors he has received reflect the profound admiration for his work, including “Hero of Ukraine”, the highest state award, as well the coveted Taras Shevchenko Ukrainian National Prize. In 1985, UNESCO ranked his Third Chamber Symphony among the top ten compositions in the world. Though prior to 1991 Yevhen Stankovych’s works were regularly censored or banned by Soviet authorities, their enduring appeal has nonetheless garnered repeated performances and recordings worldwide.