Ukrainian composer Natalia Tsupryk has appeared twice on Top Ten Modern Composition chart, most recently with Neil Cowley. Are We Alive? sees her return to the intertwined subjects that characterize her work: opposition to the invasion of Ukraine and reminders that life under attack is still worth living. Tsupryk writes, “despite all the destruction, there is a lot of love, resilience and kindness … you can still feel at home.” This is not to minimize the impact of the war, but to highlight the reasons for fighting. If all seems bleak, there is only despair; Tsupryk focuses more on the value of her nation and its people.
“A Place Where Silence Felt Safe” leads off the EP with gentle piano, subdued strings and wordless voice. The composer eases the listener in, and later will ease the listener out. These are harrowing times, conveyed more by the titles than by the tone; Tsupryk is wishing a lullaby on her land, a steadying of hearts in the midst of war. Each track is inspired by a photo of life in Ukraine, taken only last year; these pieces are her response. In “Late June Night,” she focuses on beauty with more upfront keys and a feeling of transcendence. The spell is broken at the end as air raid sirens start to sound, hearkening back to the artist’s Kyiv; for much more on this subject, we refer our readers to Gianmarco Del Re’s Ukrainian Field Notes.
The mood darkens after the sirens dissipate. “Trees Were Burnt to the Ground” and “Razor Wires in the Black Earth” are respectful and restrained, bearing an awful weight that burdens the strings and haunts the heart. Tsupryk feels Ukraine’s sorrow and translates it into mourning. But will this be where the EP ends? If one listens beyond the intimidating title”Who Is Guarding the Sky?”, one will hear calm and comfort in the artist’s hums, suspended in a pool of resignation, but with a vein of hope riding on the backs of dreams. Tsupryk can remember when “silence felt safe,” and can imagine when it might feel so again; her encouragement is a humble gift. (Richard Allen)
a closer listen 