Catherine Likhuta (b. 1981, Kyiv, Ukraine) is a composer and pianist based in Brisbane, Australia. She grew up in Ukraine, completing a bachelor’s degree in jazz piano at the Kyiv Gliere Music College and a post-graduate degree at Kyiv Conservatory. She studied composition in the United States with Steven Stucky and Dana Wilson, and eventually earned a PhD in composition from the University of Queensland in Australia. Her music is primarily instrumental, ranging from solo and chamber works to concert pieces and concertos for wind band and orchestra. She has won many awards for her work, which has led to performances and commissions from organizations around the world. She has appeared as a guest on the Band Room Podcast. Read more about her at her website, the Australian Music Centre, Instant Encore, …and we were heard, and 12 Composers You Should Know About. She was also featured as a Ukrainian woman composer on the Boulanger Initiative, which includes links to support Ukraine in the Russian invasion.
Likhuta wrote Planet B in 2021 for a consortium of bands led by Rachel Howley at Grace Lutheran College. Her program note from the score describes its inspiration:
“Children are one third of our population and all of our future.” —Select Panel for the Promotion of Child Health 1981
It is no secret to anyone that our planet is suffering, least of all to the children of today. I heard the following sentiment: “Take care of your planet. There is no planet B.” And I thought: what if there were an ideal planet without violence, racism, greed, ecological emergencies and global pandemics? A musical journey towards such a planet could give us all some optimism for the future. I believe that in 2021 we need it more than ever.
The piece opens with static stacked perfect fifths, representing the vastness and the mysterious power of space. Then, we zoom in on Earth, singling it out from the entire galaxy. The Earth is crying. It is hurt. It is letting out deep sighs, as if a wounded majestic animal.
The next section of the piece, characterised by rising tension, is the musical version of “enough is enough!”. It represents the protests, the high-school kids carrying huge posters, the outcries of the young generation. They are brave, bold, and they demand change and action. They came to protest and brought their message across loud and clear. Think about Greta Thunberg screaming: “…we will NEVER forgive you!!!” with tears running down her cheeks. The Earth is shouting with them, and the Earth is grieving with them.
The final section opens with the musical imitation of the sky clearing after a storm, sun coming out, and nature starting to awaken. This section is about positivity, hope and healing. In the final chords, we are zooming out and going back into space, seeing the Earth get smaller and smaller. The Earth is smiling. It looks greener. It feels healed.
The premiere performance was conducted by Howley leading the Queensland Conservatorium Wind Orchestra with select students from Grace Lutheran College.
Read more about the piece at the Wind Repertory Project.