On October 7, the National Philharmonic of Ukraine and the Mykola Lysenko Column Hall hosted the premiere of a new musical project by the National Academic Orchestra of Folk Instruments of Ukraine — NEO NAONI. Among the guests was Deputy Minister of Culture of Ukraine Yevhen Lavro, who praised the programme and encouraged audiences to attend one of its future performances.
The National Philharmonic of Ukraine and the Mykola Lysenko Column Hall presented the new NEO NAONI project on their stage. It is a unique multi-genre programme combining a contemporary orchestral sound, Ukrainian musical tradition and masterpieces of world classical music.
The programme featured more than 40 musical instruments, while well-known classical works were presented in new and unexpected arrangements. Ukrainian music also held a special place in the concert, including both original compositions and folk music.
Throughout the evening, the legendary National Academic Orchestra of Folk Instruments of Ukraine remained at the centre of the stage, demonstrating how modern, powerful and stylistically diverse traditional instruments can sound.
Among the guests of the premiere was Deputy Minister of Culture of Ukraine Yevhen Lavro. After the concert, he shared his impressions and recommended that audiences attend one of the programme’s future performances:
“I recommend everyone to see it next time.”
Viktor Hutsal, Artistic Director and Chief Conductor of NAONI, also shared his emotions after the premiere:
“The audience was wonderful, the listeners were wonderful, the atmosphere was wonderful. All you have to do is play. And we do it with pleasure. Come again,” Viktor Hutsal said.
NEO NAONI offers a new way of experiencing familiar Ukrainian folk instruments — not merely as part of a traditional or folkloric setting, but as a powerful and versatile voice for a contemporary concert stage.
The premiere demonstrated that NAONI can work equally naturally with Ukrainian music, world classics and new arrangements, while preserving its own distinctive and recognisable sound.
NEO NAONI marks a new stage in the orchestra’s creative development and once again proves that Ukrainian folk instruments can sound modern, powerful and fully at home on the European concert stage.
