Originally from Ukraine, the adopted and internationally renowned Montreal pianist Serhiy Salov is the instigator of a series of short Montreal performances delivered over the coming weeks for the benefit of Ukraine. A humanitarian campaign combining music and concrete actions to help its Ukrainian people.
Pianist Serhiy Salov was born in the city of Donezk, Ukraine. It was when he was crowned laureate of the Montreal International Music Competitions in 2004 (then in 2014) that he made the professional decision to move to Montreal. A natural and logical decision, because the pianist had several recital commitments here and in Canada, in addition to all the others in the world.
If his four children were born in Montreal – a city that has been his homeland for 18 years now – this does not prevent the 43-year-old pianist from feeling a certain guilt for not being in Ukraine when his native country is in war.
“It makes me unhappy not to be able to be there, explains the one who still has relatives and very close friends who have taken refuge in Poland and Spain. My idea is to concretely help the Ukrainian people who, in addition to weapons and medicine, are experiencing a real shortage of tourniquets [used to stop bleeding] at the moment. »
The artist, who often demonstrated in front of the Russian Embassy with people who had been in the field at the start of the war, therefore joined forces with La Maison Alcan to invite people to attend a series of short piano serenades which will be held from 5 to 6 p.m. each evening between May 30 and June 10, in front of La Maison Alcan on Sherbrooke Street West, in Montreal.
“I don’t want cash donations, assures the one whose last visit to Ukraine dates back to 2013. I prefer that people come and stop to listen to the music, take the time to meditate, to pray if they are religious, take advantage of this moment, then order one or more CAT tourniquets for Ukrainian field hospitals at the same time if they wish. »
Fundraiser
If the benefit evenings end on June 10, the fundraising campaign continues until the end of that same month. Each evening, they will begin with the national anthem of Ukraine and end with the hopeful piece Imagine, by John Lennon.
“It makes me infinitely proud,” continues the artist. As a Ukrainian, I have to help my country and help the army, because without that, we will not have victory. So the goal doesn’t matter, whatever people want to give will be appreciated. »
Serhiy Salov’s Piano Serenades will be held every weeknight between 5 and 6 p.m. from May 30 to June 10, in front of La Maison Alcan, 1188 Sherbrooke Street West, Montreal.
