Photo : Et Voilà
Free concert: Ukraine, three centuries of music
A narrated concert for violin and piano that traverses three centuries of Ukrainian music, from the Baroque to today.
Auditorium de l'Hôpital Bretonneau (Paris 18th)
About
A violin, a piano, and three centuries of Ukrainian music told like a story.
Everything begins in the 18th century with Maksym Berezovsky, who went to study in Italy like Mozart. His sonata, lost during the Napoleonic wars, was found in Paris two centuries later. We will then encounter Skovoroda, a philosopher who sang his poems on the roads, then Lyssenko, who refused to translate his music into the language of the Russian empire. Their common thread: artists who defended their culture, sometimes at the cost of their lives.
Between danceable tunes and more somber pages, this piano and violin concert reveals Ukraine through its musicians, from the Baroque era to today. No musical knowledge is necessary: the pianist tells the story throughout the pieces.
With the Duo a piacere: DOm Paulin (piano and narration) and Nadiia Kramarenko (violin).
This concert opens "Land of Music", the new cycle by the association Et voilà! which will take the audience on a journey from country to country throughout the seasons.
Our take on this event
Forget the stiff concert halls for a moment and immerse yourself in this deeply moving musical journey through Ukrainian history. Through heartfelt piano tales and sweeping violin melodies, this duo breathes new life into lost masterpieces you simply must hear.
On Friday, November 6, 2026, the auditorium of Hôpital Bretonneau hosts a special concert tracing three centuries of Ukrainian music. From 19:00 to 20:00, the Duo a piacere—pianist and narrator DOm Paulin and violinist Nadiia Kramarenko—will perform a selection of works ranging from the Baroque era to the present day. This event, which serves as the launch for the new 'Terre de musiques' series by the association Et voilà !, is completely free and open to the public. Through a blend of music and storytelling, attendees will explore the lives and legacies of composers like Maksym Berezovsky and Mykola Lyssenko in an accessible, educational format.
The association Et voilà ! begins its season with a deep dive into the musical heritage of Ukraine. This concert features the Duo a piacere, who will guide the audience through a historical narrative spanning the 18th century to modern times. The program highlights the dedication of composers who championed their national culture, including the philosopher Skovoroda and Berezovsky, whose long-lost sonata was famously recovered in Paris.
Designed for everyone, the event does not require prior musical knowledge. Pianist DOm Paulin will narrate the historical context behind each piece while performing alongside violinist Nadiia Kramarenko, moving between dance-like melodies and more profound, serious compositions. The concert takes place on November 6, 2026, at the auditorium of Hôpital Bretonneau, located at 23, rue Joseph de Maistre in the 18th arrondissement. Attendance is free of charge, marking the first stop in a series that promises to travel through diverse musical landscapes throughout the year.
