Concert for Peace

"Creativity is an unconscious act of insanity, in a burst of which the truth is born. No matter how beautiful or disgusting it may seem to people far from madness, its value is beyond doubt, both for the author and for those able to sense its invisible beauty. After all, gratitude for endless trials and suffering brings joy and blissful emptiness… Being shocked by music is about pain turning into beauty and getting under your skin, taking away your breath; about everything stopping to move. I want to be scratched inside by sound and experience the fleeting, invisible beauty." - Maxim Shalygin

His compositions include chamber, vocal, symphonic, electro-acoustic music, as well as music for theater, ballet and film. Shalygin has participated in many competitions internationally. He received a honorable mention at the Gaudeamus competition 2012 for his work “Letters to Anna” symphony for violin solo. The same year his music was selected for Gesamt project of Lars von Trier. Shalygin was a composer-in-residence in IZOLYATSIA – Platform for Cultural Initiatives (Donetsk, Ukraine) and Storioni Festival (Brabant, Netherlands). Shalygin’s works have been performed in festivals such as: Gaudeamus Muziekweek (Netherlands), Sound Ways (Russia), Musical Youth Tribune (Ukraine), GOGOLFEST (Ukraine), Spring Festival (Netherlands), International Forum of Young Music (Ukraine), Music Premieres of the Season (Ukraine), UNEVEN – mini-festival by Lonneke van Leth (Netherlands).

The Concertgebouw, together with Ukrainian pianist Anna Fedorova and Russian cellist Maya Fridman, is organising a benefit concert for the victims of the war in Ukraine on the evening of Sunday 6 March.

Like everyone around us, Donemus Publishing is appalled by the invasion of Ukraine, which we strongly condemn. Donemus publishes several composers from Ukraine. One is living in Kyiv, guarding a bridge with a gun in his hands. One is living in Lviv, where it is quiet, but completely unsure for how long.

Education Michael has a degree in English Literature from the State University of New York. Despite having no formal music education, he has an active international career in several aspects of the music business.

Celia Swart (1994, NL) is a new music composer, saxophone player and visual artist. Growing up playing saxophone and piano, she found her love for composing.

"Creativity is an unconscious act of insanity, in a burst of which the truth is born. No matter how beautiful or disgusting it may seem to people far from madness, its value is beyond doubt, both for the author and for those able to sense its invisible beauty. After all, gratitude for endless trials and suffering brings joy and blissful emptiness… Being shocked by music is about pain turning into beauty and getting under your skin, taking away your breath; about everything stopping to move. I want to be scratched inside by sound and experience the fleeting, invisible beauty." - Maxim Shalygin