German orchestra musicians travelling to Lviv for charity concert

Orchestra musicians from Germany plan to perform a charity concert in Lviv on Saturday with musicians from the Lviv National Philharmonic, in a show of solidarity with the Ukrainian population.

The programme includes Robert Schumann's "Symphony No. 2," Thomas de Hartmann's "Violin Concerto" and a work by a Ukrainian composer, the organizers said.

Theodor Kucharenko will conduct, with violinist Andrej Tschaikowsky performing as a soloist.

Andreas Dude, a double bassist with the Elbland Philharmonie, an orchestra in the eastern German state of Saxony, said the concert was intended as a symbol of solidarity and hope. "It is important to us to show solidarity in these difficult times and to send a sign of hope," he said.

Dude initiated the project and found fellow musicians who were willing to take part. The musicians are taking just under a week of holiday for the trip.

"We have an idea of the situation on the ground from images and reports, but we expect emotionally moving moments," Dude told dpa.

Dude pointed to the difficult situation facing Ukrainian orchestras, with many musicians serving at the front. "Because so many musicians are deployed at the front, there is often a shortage of players to keep performances going," he said.

In Lviv, courses are also planned for children who have fled from eastern Ukraine and are currently staying in the west of the country.

The German Embassy is supporting the project financially and is covering the cost of the musicians' train travel.

One oboist is even travelling in his own car in order to transport donated music equipment to Lviv, they added.

"We are grateful to be able to make a small, modest contribution to helping Ukraine," Dude said.