The Lviv Early Music Foundation & Organ Project
A note from Canon Larry Tremsky, Director of Music, on plans for a Cathedral partnership with the Lviv Early Music Foundation & Organ Project which he founded in 2025.
INTRODUCTION
Lviv stands as the cultural heart of Western Ukraine, embodying a rich tapestry of diverse traditions. This beautiful city brims with art, architecture, culture, history, and music. Once part of the Habsburg Empire and having changed hands eight times in the twentieth century alone, Lviv has endured a challenging history yet remains a vibrant center of Ukrainian national and cultural life.
I first visited Lviv in July 2014, to attend classes in the Ukrainian language at Ukrainian Catholic University. The students I encountered, while still recovering from the trauma of the recent Maidan Revolution/Revolution of Dignity, were full of life, vibrant and engaged, determined to build a just, civil society aligned with Western values. Their vigor inspired me to return to Lviv repeatedly, engage with Ukrainian culture, and eventually led to my current plan to relocate to Lviv in early 2026.
VISION
I have been struck with the excellence of the Ukrainian system of musical training; I regularly met young musicians of great talent. To both support these musicians and to introduce yet another element into musical life in Lviv, I have started the Lviv Early Music Foundation. This organization, now registered with the Ukrainian government as an NGO (charitable institution) is based in the Lviv Early Music Hub. The Hub is centrally located in a lovely old building from the Austrian era which is accessible, comfortable, well-lit, and welcoming. Crucially, it is located next to government offices and so is connected to a power grid that always provides electricity, even in blackouts. The Hub will serve both as a center for organ study and practice, as well as a practice space for early music. It will also serve as a resource for musical scores and books. This open and inviting venue will inspire musical excellence and attract a new generation of listeners.
BACKGROUND
In Summer 2023, I attended an Organ Academy in Pasłęk, Poland, where I met two talented young organists from Lviv, Ukraine: Mark Novakovych and Svitlana Pozdnysheva. Their exceptional musicianship and passion for the organ stood in stark contrast to their limited resources. Upon returning home, with support from the Cathedral of the Incarnation and the Nassau Chapter of the American Guild of Organists, we provided them with high-quality musical scores previously unavailable to them.
Mark's response to our gift was deeply moving:
"When the war cancels all your plans and says 'no' to all your dreams, incredible miracles don't stop happening! People who are ready to support not only with words, but also with truly generous deeds come to the rescue! Half a year ago, fate brought together Svetlana, me and Larry at the organ academy in Poland in Pasłek, and this meeting is very memorable for us! Larry, a great friend of Ukraine, thank you from the bottom of my heart! For us young organists, this parcel from the USA - something much more than a selection of luxurious organ music in the best European editions and luxurious new organ shoes - is a huge gesture of support and understanding, which cannot be accepted without tears of emotion and gratitude! May God bless you a hundredfold!"
This small gesture revealed a greater opportunity: to meaningfully advance organ culture in Ukraine and support these remarkable young musicians pursuing their passion amidst extraordinary national challenges.
CHALLENGES
Currently, Lviv lacks first-class mechanical action organs or continuo organs. The available instruments are limited in resources, difficult to access, or poor electronic substitutes. Similarly, the lack of historical instruments is a hindrance to the proper study of Baroque music. The music community in Lviv is rich in talent but starved for resources.
Since Ukrainian independence in 1991, the country's organ world has begun to emerge from the isolation imposed by the Soviet Union. The younger generation now has exposure to instruments and teachers throughout Europe, particularly in Poland, where high-quality instruction provides a logical destination for serious Ukrainian organists Further, young Ukrainian instrumentalists have had the opportunity, at least until the war began, to study historical performance practice throughout Europe, engaging them with their colleagues.
The Ukrainian people have endured immense hardship in recent years: war since 2014, the COVID-19 pandemic, and now full-scale invasion. As they confidently plan for a post-war future, providing instruments of genuine beauty and quality will inspire them as they emerge from the uncertainty and fear of wartime. This project aims to initiate a new chapter of creativity and artistry among young and aspiring Ukrainian musicians.
PLAN
The past few months have seen the purchase of several instruments which will be part of the Hub; a one-manual Flemish harpsichord from a US builder, a two-manual French harpsichord from a UK builder, a baroque violin and a baroque viol. The string instruments are already in Lviv, being used daily.
The Hub will also be the site of a mechanical-action practice organ from a world-class builder—a first for Ukraine. It will be available for daily practice; a fine, sensitive organ is an indispensable teaching tool, and such an instrument would greatly assist the next generation of Ukrainian players.
This organ will serve multiple purposes:
Hosting masterclasses with teachers from across Europe
Presenting small recitals featuring local organists and guests
Providing practice space for younger student organists
Supporting the growing early music community in Western Ukraine
In addition to the practice organ, a continuo organ is being built by Klop Orgelbouw of the Netherlands, one of the leading makers of continuo organs in the world.
Further, plans to purchase a larger organ for performances of Baroque music are underway. We are currently in negotiations with the Lviv Music Lyceum, an institution which teaches young musicians through high school; the leadership of the lyceum is very keen to be part of our work and will likely be the site of this larger organ, which will be available both for practice as well as performances.
The city's large student population provides both a natural audience and talent pool. The number of universities in Lviv as well as the abundance of art galleries and coffee houses offers additional venues to bring such music to the public. Mobile instruments such as a harpsichord and continuo organ will be crucial for bringing early music beyond the concert hall into public spaces. We also intend to participate in programs providing music both to soldiers recovering from injuries as part of their rehabilitation as well as children suffering from the effects of the war. After years of immense trauma, music and the arts—central to national identity—are vital to Ukraine's healing process.
FUNDING NEEDS
We are currently gathering estimates for various components of this project:
Studio organ: $180,000-$220,000
Practice organ: $30,000
Continuo organ: $45,000 – on order
First harpsichord - $20,000
Second Harpsichord: $16,000 – on order
In addition to these instruments, we will have regular funding needs to sponsor workshops with guest teachers, instrument maintenance, transport fees and much more. These high-quality instruments represent a significant investment but will serve musicians for decades to come and will enrich the musical life of Western Ukraine.
SPONSORSHIP
We are seeking donors to fund the initial stages of this project and to assist as long-term partners in this work. Your support can make a tremendous difference at various levels:
Patron's Circle: $10,000+
Benefactor's Circle: $5,000-$9,999
Supporter's Circle: $1,000-$4,999
Friend's Circle: Up to $999
CONCLUSION
For the past 25 years, I've worked in a cathedral dedicated in 1885, set on a 22-acre campus filled with beautiful trees, some planted over a century ago. The individuals who planted those trees did so knowing they would one day be magnificent, while also accepting they wouldn't live to see them reach maturity.
The Lviv Early Music Foundation embodies the same spirit: we are planting seeds to make Lviv a true center of both Baroque music performance and organ culture in Ukraine, understanding that it will take years of dedication to bring this vision to fruition. Your support today initiates an exciting new chapter for the wonderful musicians of Lviv and Ukraine's musical future.
To support this project, please visit the Cathedral website at www.incarnationgc.org and click on “Donate” then “Make a One Time Donation” – there is a drop down option for “Ukraine Organ Fund.” Or, you can call the office and speak with Gerry Potter, Assistant Treasurer, to arrange a donation. Every contribution helps bring hope and beauty to the next generation of Ukrainian musicians. Now is the time to show our support to the musicians of Lviv who have suffered so much in the past years, but now are looking forward to a bright future, filled with wonderful music.
With thanks to Bishop Geralyn Wolf, who used the tree analogy in a recent cathedral sermon.