Valentin Silvestrov (b. 1937) is possibly Ukraine’s greatest and best known living composer. Born in Kyiv under Stalin’s regime, the formerly avant garde composer’s music has developed into a contemplative, mournful and nostalgic elegy for lost time. It takes on new emotional depth and power in the state of war in Ukraine in 2022 – Silvestrov himself fled from Kyiv to Berlin in early March, after the Russian invasion. The single-movement Symphony no. 7 opens in a fearful atmosphere but gradually softens until it almost melts away into thin air. Silvestrov will attend Ultima from September 19th - 23rd. His music will be performed at three concerts during this year's festival.