During World War II, Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony became a shorthand throughout Europe. With Morse code for the letter V (three dots and a dash) following the same pattern as the symphony’s iconic opening notes, the tune came to represent victory in occupied Europe.

Conductor Keri-Lynn Wilson also reads a sense of triumph in the work—as well as one of resilience. That’s why it’s being featured in her latest tour with the Ukrainian Freedom Orchestra , an ensemble comprising 74 musicians, all Ukrainian, including recent refugees and Ukrainian members of European orchestras. It was formed by Wilson (who is Canadian-Ukrainian) in the weeks following Russia’s full-scale invasion of the country in February 2022.

The musicians initially came together that summer for a concert tour of Europe and

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