ULYSSES Journeys offer young composers and performers the opportunity to take part in courses, workshops and residencies, but also to have concrete working experiences, through commissions and concerts.

This year, the Lviv National Philharmonic Orchestra is realising the 10th edition of its international masterclasses of contemporary music! Over the past nine years of the event, more than 50 young composers have become participants, who have now become world-famous artists and represent the middle generation of the Ukrainian musical elite. As before, the main task of this initiative is to activate and support creative youth in their creative endeavors. In masterclasses, constant close communication and the exchange of experiences between mentors and participants are encouraged.

The master classes take place in the second half of February 2025 (active phase), with online meetings with the selected composers taking place during the period from November 2024 to April 2025.

After daily classes with mentors, consultations and rehearsals with performers, the selected participants present new works for the chamber ensemble, which are then given a concert performance.

The performances occur during the concert season 2024/2025 at the Lviv National Philharmonic, performed by the Ukrainian collective “Ensemble Nostri Temporis”.

The following composers were selected for support under the ULYSSES Platform: Yelyzaveta Voloshyna, Anna Gurina, Denys Kucher, Maksym Ivanov and Fedir Pershko.

Key dates

October-November, 2024: open call for composers

December, 7, 2024: initial meeting, presentation of the project, meeting with mentors and participants

January 15-25, 2025, participants present the first sketches of the works, to be discussed with the performers during a separately scheduled meeting.

February 17-22, an active phase of live master classes takes place in Lviv, where daily classes with mentors will be held.

From February 19, consultations and rehearsals with performers.

February 22, at the final concert, we hear the premieres of the participants’ works and the compositions of the mentors.

March 1-3, an online meeting will be held to discuss the achievements of the participants and announce the selection of the composer for a special new commission.

 

Mentors of this year’s COURSE master classes:

Alla Zagaykevych, Sławomir Wojciechowski and Luxa (Martin Schuttler)

In addition to individual classes, which can only be attended by masterclass participants, “COURSE” includes open lectures by each of the mentors and informal meetings in a special “Coffee with composers” format.

Ensemble Nostri Temporis:

(Nataliia Kozhushko-Maksymiv (flute), Taras Hamar (clarinet), Andrii Pavlov (violin), Nazarii Stets (double bass) and Maksym Shadko (piano)

More info here