CALLING ALL VISUAL ARTISTS AND PHOTOGRAPHERS
Mike Batt: A Symphony for Ukraine. London Symphony Orchestra/Batt
This is not exclusive to, but is ideally directed at Ukrainians, either in Ukraine or in UK/elsewhere; but actually anyone, of any age (from 4 to 104) or origin is invited to submit their work. We have finished and recorded the symphony.
We are releasing the album in the Spring of 2026, as a CD and on Vinyl and digital, and we need an image for our ALBUM COVER! We also need 4 separate booklet/inner sleeve photos or art pieces, - one for each movement of the symphony, to be printed as full page images in the CD booklet and as appropriate in the vinyl version. So if you think you have the perfect or a potentially interesting image, - (it can be a drawing, a painting, a digital image or a photograph) ; please send us (initially) for consideration, a snapshot of it (or high resolution if you prefer) to: battsymphony@gmail.com by 5th January 2026. Mark it “Music Image” or “Music Images”.
Here are some notes about the symphony that might help spark your creativity. I’m guessing this might be something you already have that you think might be ideal, or perhaps you work very quickly.
NB: It may be that just one artist or photographer is chosen for all 5 related images. We have to be aware of this possibility, and offer it as a creative opportunity if the work warrants it. So, please feel free to submit more than one image.
Here’s the brief:
Main album cover
This is the least specific, most general brief: it must, of course, be square, [or capable of being cropped square] and please do be aware that we will be adding titling/typography over it. So there’s no need to add lettering - indeed that will be a disadvantage. It will be featured on the front of the CD, vinyl album and any associated visual uses such as videos and/or social media promotion.
The album is inspired by the war in Ukraine – but a cheerful photograph of the Monastery domes and cafes in Kyiv is just as likely to prevail as a muddy, front-line shot taken with a particularly artistic vision.
It can be a glorious impression of Ukraine or Ukrainian people, or a wartime, tragic and sad “shot”, even of a single person or child, but it needs to have artistic, creative beauty, and relevance.
The four movements:
1. First Movement (Capriccio gioioso)
This movement kicks off quite brightly, albeit busily, and is intended to represent life before 2022. It’s a caprice. So although not exactly perfectly calm,- even a normal day has its ups and downs, - there is an unsettled feeling to it, between moments of joyful activity and calmness. Yet, there’s an underlying feeling of something ominous. However, this need not (but can) be represented in the image.
2. Second Movement (Drammatico e chaotico)
Air raid sirens imitated by low brass instruments wake us from a nightmare to the reality of sudden, violent war. Or was it a nightmare? It’s real now. This is an energetic, powerful movement full of action and many emotions, ranging from panic, courage, thoughts of home, thoughts of peace, but the continuation of battle and the brutality of war.
3. Third Movement (Lento riflessivo)
Sad, romantic. A feeling of loss and love. Maybe we are in a churchyard, or alone somewhere else, thinking of a loved one. Many emotions alternate as we progress through this “scene”. Heartache, anger, temporary acceptance, resolve to continue and overcome. Not all of these (or any of them – need to be graphically obvious in the art, but they can be if you so choose).
4. Fourth Movement (Sperare con forza)
Hope with strength. Our conclusion to this very unsettled symphony is one of optimism and determination; The movement builds from a lively but quiet beauty to a raging barrage of powerful movement and strength, built around the Ukrainian national anthem.
It’s only a “sort of” competition. But is there a prize?
So, it’s not really a competition, but it sort of is! There will, after all, be five “winners”.
So what’s in it for you if we pick your art? OK: - we deem the four “internal” images to be as important as the actual cover. So we offer to each of our successful entrants:
Due credit in the listings on the booklet and/or packaging
6 copies of the CD
2 Vinyl copies
A copy of the score (if you want it!)
The “symphony” mug
The “symphony” notebook
Your original artwork (or a signed high quality print, at your option) to be auctioned online by us; the resulting proceeds to be split 50% to you and 50% to a Ukraine-relevant charity of your choice (with our right of approval of such charity). You may also like us to offer prints for sale non-exclusively online and send the profits to you and the charity as above.
You retain the copyright in the artwork but you give us (only if your work is selected and used) all perpetual worldwide usage rights including but not limited to packaging, advertising, inclusion in videos (except reproduction solely as a piece of art for prints, art books and public exhibition unconnected to the symphony). By submitting your work you agree to these conditions, and confirm that you will provided us with hi-res file of your art within 48 hours of being informed of acceptance. You agree that our decision is final, and you confirm that the art is all your own work. You may use AI or other filters and tools as part of your process. You otherwise warrant that the art is your own work and that consequently you are the true and sole owner of the copyright. BTW, If it turns out that there’s only one artist/photographer, you only get one pile of goodies!
To link to the substack version of this article please go to https://mikebatt.substack.com/
We also have to say that we reserve the right not to use any of the submitted material.
We hope you’ll join in and help me to find a striking visual album cover and related imagery. Let’s see what you’ve got!