Inventions of hope

From Bach to contemporary Ukrainian and Canadian composers, Inventions of Hope explores three centuries of musical invention through sound and synesthetic colour.

Anna sagalova, piano

anna pidgorna, mc

Next Event

October 14, 2026 | 12:00 PM | Inventions of Hope

Roy Barnett Recital Hall, UBC, Vancouver, BC

Performed by virtuoso pianist Anna Sagalova, this program places J.S. Bach’s two-part inventions alongside contemporary Ukrainian and Canadian reinterpretations of the genre. Together, these works trace the evolution of tonality from Bach’s well-tempered world to its expansion and transformation in contemporary music, revealing connections across three centuries of musical thought.

Inventions in Colour is available in two formats. The standard version is a solo piano recital hosted by composer Anna Pidgorna, who guides audiences through the music and the ideas connecting the works. An expanded production adds lighting design inspired by Sagalova’s synesthesia—her association of different musical keys with specific colours—bringing her unique perception of the music into the concert space.

program

JOHANN SEBASTIAN BACH

Inventions + Chaconne

VOLODYMYR PTUSHKIN

Inventions + Ostinato

DAVID JAEGER

Inventions for Anna

ANNA PIDGORNA

Inventions of Hope

public presentations

November 9, 2024 | 7:30 PM | INVENTIONS OF HOPE FUNDRAISER

Canadian Music Centre, Vancouver, BC

A fundraising salon featuring pianist Anna Sagalova, composer Anna Pidgorna and writer Maria Reva, to support the development of the Inventions of Hope project and the purchase of medical supplies for Ukrainian defenders.

May 10, 2025 | 7:00 PM | MOTHER’S DAY INVENTIONS

Holy Eucharist Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral, New Westminster, BC

A free community concert featuring pianist Anna Sagalova, guitarist Denys Panchenko and composer Anna Pidgorna, presenting excerpts from our Inventions of Hope project and works inspired by J.S. Bach.

November 1, 2025 | 7:30 PM | INVENTIONS IN COLOUR

Anvil Theatre, New Westminster, BC

A concert exploring three centuries of piano inventions performed by Anna Sagalova, illuminated by lighting design inspired by the pianist’s synesthesia. Featuring works by J.S. Bach, Volodymyr Ptushkin, David Jaeger and Anna Pidgorna.

October 14, 2026 | 12:00 PM | Inventions of hope

Roy Barnett Recital Hall, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC

A condensed version of our Inventions of Hope program featuring pianist Anna Sagalova performing selected inventions by J.S. Bach, Volodymyr Ptushkin and Anna Pidgorna.

FREE. No registration required.

videos

artists

Photo by Anya Chibis

ANNA SAGALOVA | PIANo

Anna Sagalova is a renowned Ukrainian pianist and Honoured Artist of Ukraine. She completed her Master and Doctor of Arts degrees in Kharkiv I.P. Kotlyarevsky National University of Arts (Ukraine) and also a postgraduate course in the University of Music Franz Liszt in Weimar (Germany). Anna is a laureate of many musical competitions in Italy, Ukraine, Bulgaria, Canada and Germany. She frequently plays as a soloist with symphony orchestras throughout Ukraine with conductors from Ukraine, USA, Switzerland, Great Britain, Austria, etc. She has participated in a number of festivals, including the Days of Ukrainian Culture festival in Poznan (Poland), Music festivals in Vigo (Spain), Trier (Germany), the International Music Festival in Lubostron (Poland), the International festival of chamber music in Shanghai (China), Kiev-Music-Fest (Ukraine), and Kharkiv Assemblies (Ukraine).

youtube

Photo by Anya Chibis

ANNA PIDGORNA | mc

Anna Pidgorna is a Ukrainian-Canadian composer, vocalist, multi-media artist and producer who combines sound, visual arts, and writing to create works that are dramatic and picturesque. She works extensively with opera and voice, draws inspiration from Ukrainian folk singing and the natural soundscape, and incorporates visual elements into some of her manuscripts. Her work has been commissioned, performed and recorded by soloists and ensembles in Canada, USA, Uruguay, Ireland, Scotland, France, Germany, Austria, Italy, Greece, Poland, Ukraine and South Korea. She holds a PhD from Princeton University, an MMus from the University of Calgary, and a BA from Mount Allison University. Anna is the founder and Artistic and Executive Director of Pickle Underground.