National Philharmonic Orchestra of Ukraine
The National Philharmonic Orchestra of Ukraine has been at the heart of the country’s cultural life and is regarded as the leading symphonic ensemble in Ukraine since its founding in 1995. As the resident orchestra of the National Philharmonia of Ukraine in Kyiv, and under the direction of Principal Conductor Theodore Kuchar, it has become one of Eastern Europe’s most dynamic and innovative partnerships.
The award-winning conductor Theodore Kuchar is the most recorded conductor of his generation, with over 150 recordings on labels such as Naxos, Brilliant Classics, Ondine, Marco Polo, Toccata Classics, and Centaur. He currently serves as Principal Conductor of both the National Philharmonic Orchestra of Ukraine and the Lviv National Philharmonic Orchestra of Ukraine. Kuchar has previously held positions as Artistic Director and Principal Conductor of several prestigious ensembles, including the National Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine, Janáček Philharmonic Orchestra (formerly the Czech Radio Orchestra), Slovak Sinfonietta, Orquesta Sinfónica de Venezuela, and Queensland Philharmonic Orchestra. This season, he has performed with top orchestras, including the Berlin Philharmonic and at venues such as New York’s Carnegie Hall, London, Birmingham, Chicago, and Miami.
As the resident orchestra of the National Philharmonia of Ukraine since its re-opening in 1995, after years of architectural decay, the orchestra is now a key player in Ukrainian musical life. Its programming spans symphonic, choral, and operatic music, as well as works for stage and screen, popular and traditional music, and new commissions. The orchestra’s year-round schedule includes live performances, recordings, broadcasts on Ukrainian National Radio and Television, and international outreach through the European Broadcasting Union. Additionally, the orchestra engages with local communities through school concerts, family events, and initiatives supporting emerging artists and composers.
The orchestra has collaborated with world-renowned musicians, including vocalists Luciano Pavarotti and Montserrat Caballé, violinists Gidon Kremer, Salvatore Accardo, and Liana Isakadze, cellists Natalya Gutman and Gautier Capuçon, and pianists such as Paul Badura-Skoda, Dmitry Bashkirov, Elisso Virsaladze, and Pierre-Laurent Aimard. It has also commissioned and premiered works by prominent contemporary composers such as Giya Kancheli, Krzysztof Penderecki, Myroslav Skoryk, Yevhen Stankovych, and Mikis Theodorakis, alongside popularizing the works of influential Ukrainian composers like Lyatoshynsky, Sylvestrov, and Skoryk.
The orchestra has performed at prestigious international festivals, including Le Mélomane and Saint-Maxime Music Fest in France, La Chaise-Dieu and La Côte Saint-André H. Berlioz Festival, as well as the Marseille International Sacred Music Festival. It has also appeared at Bleckede Fest in Germany, Wroclaw Fest in Poland, and Ukrainian Culture Days in Switzerland (Bern). International tours have taken the orchestra to Austria, Germany, France, Poland, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey, Japan, and China, earning widespread critical acclaim.
