Music

Ukrainian musicians join forces with Royal Marines Band for historic first

Ukrainian musicians joined the world-famous Massed Bands of His Majesty's Royal Marines as they played their spectacular annual showpiece at the Royal Albert Hall for the 53rd year.

In front of a packed Royal Albert Hall, the band opened the show with the national anthem in honour of King Charles, who is Captain General of the Royal Marines.

The stunning night of pageantry recognised the special relationship between the UK and Ukraine, with a guest feature spot being performed by the Royal Marines Band Service (RMBS) and 11 Ukrainian military musicians.

The Unbreakable Band is formed of members of The Honored Academic Orchestra and The Band of the Military Musical Centre of the Land Forces, of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

The evening saw the Ukrainian musicians and bands from Portsmouth, Collingwood, Scotland and Commando Training Centre Royal Marines (CTCRM) come together with a moving performance of The Rise of the Ukrainian Sun, an arrangement of three traditional Ukrainian pieces.

Colonel Ihor Kishman, Chief of Ukrainian Armed Forces Music, said: "We are so proud to have performed in the UK and to have represented our Armed Forces to such an amazing audience.

"The Mountbatten Festival of Music has given us a wonderful opportunity to strengthen, celebrate and publicise the partnership between Ukraine and the UK through the universal language of music.

"Performing the music we play for our brave troops and civilians in this iconic venue has been wonderful.

"Friendship is also a universal language, and it has been a joy to make many new friends in the Royal Marines."

He added: "We have had a great few days and now head back to Ukraine to continue our struggle assured that our musical and military bonds are stronger than ever."