146 Cellists Play the Ukrainian National Anthem: Video Premiere

DURHAM, N.C. - April 23, 2022 - PRLog -- 146 cellists from around the world perform the Ukrainian national anthem on YouTube and Facebook at 1 PM EDT on 24 April 2022 to show moral support for Ukraine and help raise funds to assist Ukraine.

Notable cellists throughout history have also been strong advocates of peace. The great cellist and peacemaker Pau Casals once said, "The cello is my only weapon." Cellist Mstislav Rostropovich played Bach to celebrate the fall of the Berlin Wall. Yo-Yo Ma is a UN Messenger of Peace. In this pacifist spirit, and inspired by the bravery Ukrainians have shown amid adversity and the horrors of war, the Cello Museum put out a call asking cellists of all levels to record themselves playing the Ukrainian national anthem to show moral support and help raise funds for Ukraine. This endeavor is called the Ukrainian National Anthem Cello Project.

Cello Museum team member Gill Tennant created an arrangement of the Ukrainian National Anthem that could be played by cellists across a wide range of skill levels, from beginner to professional. Following in the footsteps of Casals, Rostropovich, and Yo-Yo Ma, over 225 cellists from around the world responded, including professional cellist and volunteer aid worker Vladyslav Primakov from Kyiv, Ukraine. He wrote: "Ukraine is my life!"

The Cello Museum spoke with Primakov via Zoom in March and published a summary of the conversation online. The video for the Ukrainian National Anthem Cello Project includes excerpts from this interview following the collaborative performance of 146 cellists. Performers range in age and ability, from experienced cello soloists to novice cello students. Video and sound design editor Laura Sam worked tirelessly to create the beautiful and very moving video that will premiere this Sunday at 1 PM EDT on both YouTube and Facebook.



Everyone is invited to listen and share the transcendent moment of a global musical experience as cellists from around the world lift the voices of their cellos in a cry of solidarity with all who long for peace and freedom. We ask all who hear this beautiful song to consider making a charitable donation, as they are able, to support those in need.

Link to more information about the project.

Link to the text version of the interview with Vlad Primakov.

#cellistsforpeace #celloforpeace