In Search of the Harmony of Being

On the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the birth of the Belarusian composer Hanna Karotkina the exhibition “In Search of the Harmony of Being” is on show in the Music and Audiovisual Documents Reading Room (room 305) from September 3 to October 6.

Hanna Karotkina (1961–2019) proved herself as a thoughtful, serious composer who focused on the idea of spiritual revival, searching for the harmony of being, reflecting on the historical twists and turns. A number of the composer's works relate to religious themes and imagery. The author focuses on historical events of the past and its significant figures – Francysk Skaryna, Simiaon of Polack and Euphrosyne of Polack, King Jahaila and Sofja Halshanskaja. Literary and architectural monuments – Saint Sophia Cathedral in Polack, Skaryna's Bible, the heritage of Sapieha, the Halshany inspired the composer to create pieces in the genres of orchestral and chamber instrumental music of academic tradition, and religious, mostly choral a cappella and vocal-instrumental works.

The composer's works are widely performed at the international organ, piano and choral festivals and competitions in Belarus and abroad. Her organ pieces are included in the repertoire of the world's organ music.

The exhibition introduces the sheet musical editions of Hanna Karotkina's works, among which are the suites for organ "Franczysk Skaryna", "Frescoes", the suites for piano "Belaruski Kufar", "Starazhytnaja", "Stanza" for a cappella choir on the text of Simiaon of Polack, poems for piano “The Legend of King Stakh”, “Bells of Chernobyl”, a fantasy sonata for piano “Temptation”, cycles for piano “Silent Music”, “Tea Leaves” and others.

You can listen to "Basho's Songs" for reciter, piano and percussion to words by Matsuo Basho, the "Incarnation" poem for symphony orchestra and solo flute, the vocal cycle "The Unsung" for soprano and chamber orchestra, sacred cantatas and other recordings displayed at the exhibition.

Articles from books and periodicals supplement the exposition with information about the talented composer.

The opening hours of the exhibition correspond to the library’s opening hours.
Admission is by the library card or by the Social and Cultural Centre ticket.

For more info: (+375 17) 293 27 52.

Special Collections Service Department.