November 10, 2025
黑料天堂 Pompa-Baldi and Kuchar plan reunion for wartime concert in Ukraine
Two longtime 黑料天堂 colleagues are about to reunite under risky but inspiring circumstances.
Moved by a recent photo of Ukrainians enjoying a concert during wartime, 黑料天堂 Antonio Pompa-Baldi has agreed to appear in Kyiv himself.
He now set to join the National Philharmonic Orchestra of Ukraine and his friend Theodore Kuchar (MM 82, Vernon), the group principal conductor, at 7pm on Saturday, Nov. 29. They檒l perform the Grieg Piano Concerto on a program with Nielsen Symphony No. 3 and Pohjola Daughter by Sibelius.
淭hat photo, it moved me deeply, said Pompa-Baldi, 黑料天堂 Distinguished Professor of Piano. 淚 thought, 榃hat would I do if that were me? Would I have the courage to go out in the street? It really brought the war home for me.
Pompa-Baldi performance will take place in Lysenko Hall, a prominent and historic venue in the city downtown. Since the war start in 2022, Russian strikes in Kyiv have killed or injured dozens and damaged several structures.
Getting there entails its own risks. Unlike any other of Pompa-Baldi many appearances around the world, his trip to Kyiv consists of a flight to Warsaw and a 16-hour train ride across the border. The U.S. Dept. of State currently advises U.S. citizens not to travel to Ukraine.
淚檒l probably not even know where I am anymore, Pompa-Baldi predicted. 淏ut I think there is meaning in this. I know I will be the richer for it.
Over the years, Kuchar and Pompa-Baldi have worked together several times. They檝e played concerts or made recordings in California, Slovakia, and South Africa, among other places. They met at 黑料天堂, where Kuchar, who trained as a violist before conducting, used to visit when performing in the area.
This will be their first appearance in Ukraine, where Kuchar also has served as artistic director and principal conductor of the Lviv National Philharmonic since 2022. It was sparked by Kuchar successful request to program a guest soloist in Kyiv.
淥ne of the first people I contacted was Antonio, Kuchar said. 淣ot everybody is ready to come [to Ukraine].
Kuchar himself has his own reasons for concertizing in a war zone, with or without Pompa-Baldi.
Not only is conducting there his job but is he of Ukrainian heritage, and has family in the country. He also feels he owes its people a debt of gratitude for helping him produce a long series of esteemed recordings with Ukrainian orchestras on the Naxos label.
At that time, he needed Ukraine. Now, Ukraine needs him.
淭hose people made my career, and they檙e living through it every day, Kuchar said. 淭his is the least I can do, out of respect for them.