“A diverse and gorgeous array of music” — Cascadia Daily News
Provides “the opportunity to connect with one of the biggest issues facing people today, and that can be a positive, thought-provoking experience that every audience member can take home.” - Oregon ArtsWatch
Natural Homeland: Honoring Ukraine with live painting by Tatyana Ostapenko (The Alberta Rose Theatre, Portland, OR)
Program Highlights
Plyve Kacha (Ukrainian folk song), for flute and recorded tracks, arranged by the vocal sextet Pikkardijska Tercia; a haunting lament on the horrors of war, this piece memorialized the “Heavenly Hundred” following the 2014 massacre at Maidan.
Within (2003) by Ian Clarke, for piccolo, flute, and alto flute with electronics; considered “marvelous and dramatic… Brilliant, brave, moving.” (Musician)
Move It (2020) by Carlos Simon for alto flute; as well as being the recipient of the 2021 Sphinx Medal of Excellence recognizing extraordinary classical Black and Latinx musicians, Simon is a former Sundance/Time Warner Composer Fellow.
Four Blossoms on a Single Stem (1985) by David Bernstein for piccolo, flute, and alto flute; this piece expresses the visions from Black Elk Speaks and includes lighting design emblematic of traditional hoop dances.
I will not be sad in this world (2006) by Eve Beglarian for alto or bass flute and electronics; the Los Angeles Times considers Beglarian a “humane, idealistic rebel and a musical sensualist.”
With additional works by Lisa Marsh, Nadir Vassena, and Allison Loggins-Hull.
About the Program
Designed and performed by Amelia Lukas, Natural Homeland is a timely, tour de force program of music for solo flute, piccolo, alto flute, and electronics, that delves deep into the meaning of home and our place in the world around us. The program weaves together stories of natural and human disaster, political unrest and displacement, but also of hope and inner sanctuary. A uniquely arranged version of the haunting Ukrainian folk song Plyve Kacha sets the tone.
“This is a reflective, restorative and important program that draws expansive connections around ideas of shelter, belonging, and freedom, all offered through Lukas’ riveting performance… The scope of extended techniques and global palette of sounds featured in these works is stunning, and rarely heard on the concert stage.”
— The Islands’ Sounder
Natural Homeland at Revolution Hall’s Show Bar (Portland, OR)
Oregon ArtsWatch review:
“There is always room for something beautiful to grow”: Flute magic at Alberta Rose
"Once again, Lukas builds community when she performs... [She] remained front and center throughout the show—an ever-gracious, modest new-music champion and polished instrumentalist. She was the central and magnetic force: She can manage anything technically complex or acrobatically challenging with the flute and keep the music and people around her in motion."
Interviews
KGW-TV News features Amelia in an in-depth segment, live at the Alberta Rose Theatre in preparation for her homecoming performance of Natural Homeland in Portland, OR on April 6, 2023.
Amelia speaks with KGW about the show concept and on the power of the arts.
Host Lacey Evans speaks with Amelia and collaborators on KGW-TV (NBC)’s Hello Rose City! culture show.
Hear Amelia speak with CBS & NBC’s Hawaii News Now - Sunrise hosts about a performance in Honolulu, including a live preview of Move It, by Carlos Simon.
Hear Orcas Center Artistic Director Jake Perrine speak with Amelia about the inspirations behind this program. They are joined by collaborator Tiffany Loney.
Oregon Public Broadcasting Feature Article
Evghenia Sincariuc, co-founder and board member of Ukrainian Care, worked with Lukas to put the word out about her concert and spoke about the need for art to act as a place for conversation.
“Through art you get that energy, the power to unite people. It doesn’t matter if people speak your language, people come from your country or not. So we become citizens of the universe,” Sincariuc said.
Audience Reactions
“Full of life and creativity… This performance personified the unique power of the arts to tell a story, to spark reflection and inspire movement. The flute playing was extraordinary and the bass flute was awesome.”
- BJ Nicoletti, President of Greater Portland Flute Society
“Your concert tonight was stunning! So heartfelt and engaging. Thank you so much for including my piece on your program. Your interpretation was riveting. You brought life to the piece beyond what I had imagined. I hope we can collaborate again in the future.”
- Lisa Ann Marsh, composer
“...a wonderfully inspiring and fully-realized vision that successfully wove together many themes, and combined the talents of all participants at their very best! Very moving and thought-provoking, transporting moments. No words are sufficient, but thank you!”
- Daniel O'Donnell, audience member
“Loved, loved, loved your concert last night! Every last detail. Performances were magnificent- multimedia really enhanced the message and what a great vibe! So much love in the room. You are my fave rock star.”
- Linda Woody, audience member
“The way you blended the recorded sound, visuals, multiple instruments, dance, voice, poetry, the breadth of human-related beauty, was high genius.”
- Joe Cantrell, award-winning photo-journalist
“Congratulations and bravo on a really great performance. You sounded amazing, and the event as a whole was super creative and also very satisfying. Great work!”
- Douglas Dietrick, Arts Consultant, former ED of Portland Jazz Composers Orchestra
“Wow, what a wonderful, diverse concert you gave last night. Incredible how you put all that together, and it was indeed wonderful to hear. I loved what you did with my piece… you really have that nailed down. And I loved as well how you spoke the text in it. It gave the work the dramatic element that I was hoping for. So, many congratulations on a great night for all. A real pleasure for us to have been there.”
- David Bernstein, composer
“Our hearts are still overflowing with beautiful music and endless gratitude for your trust. On behalf of Ukrainian Care and every Ukrainian who will receive bread, we want to thank you for your hard work and the opportunity to participate in this incredible project. There’s no cost for the energy and resilience you brought to the community... We are so grateful for your generosity.”
- Evghenia, Klavdia, Svitlana and Olga: Ukrainian Care Team
“Thank you for creating such a special experience for all of us! It was a magical night!”
- Jorja, audience member