FOR one very obvious reason, it has been a challenging two years for the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra’s Ukrainian chief conductor, Kirill Karabits.

Since the invasion of his beloved homeland in February 2022, Karabits has combined a punishing schedule here and around the world with constant concern for his family, friends and country.

But he says, more than anywhere else, he has found the greatest support and understanding with the BSO, its staff, musicians and audiences.

It more than sums up the remarkable bond formed over the past the fifteen years since he began his musical stewardship in the 2009/2010 season, having first performed with the orchestra back in 2006.

Three years later his appointment as the BSO’s 13th principal conductor had been supported unanimously by the musicians.

Given he performs all over over the world, Karabits’ heartfelt tribute to the orchestra and Poole is also remarkable.

He said: “I have never felt such support and deep belonging since I came to Poole, and of course especially in the past two years.

“There is no other place where I can feel the same way. Nowhere. The last two years, I never got so much support from any other orchestra or place.

“Part of this is that together, we have been championing Ukrainian music for many years, before it was fashionable. Now it’s fashionable.

“When Ukraine began to appear every day in the news in 2022, the orchestra knew much more than other people about it."

His homeland music has been one part of the much heralded and critically acclaimed BSO Voices from the East project which also brought Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia, Poland, Macedonia, Turkmenistan, among other nations, to Lighthouse Poole.

Karabits was recognised with an Honorary OBE earlier this year for Services to Music and the promotion in the UK of symphonic works from Ukraine and the East.

“Undertaking this project was one of things that motivated me to become a conductor," he said.

“I was always waiting to do this somewhere and looking for an orchestra to take on this journey with me.

“And this orchestra was the right one. It’s not about forcing people to do what you want, it’s about creating something together. And we did that. It has been very special."

He may have challenged the musicians, but the audiences too, in a way that almost certainly no other conductor has done in the orchestra’s 121 year history.

“It doesn’t mean every concert I have done was liked or remembered,but that’s part of it. It makes you think what you can do better next time. If you have a negative feeling that’s sometimes important. It’s learning by your mistakes.”

Karabits becomes the BSO’s conductor laureate and artistic director, Voices from the East this October.

Another of his great highlights in the past 15 years has been conducting the music of his late father Ivan, a renowned Ukrainian conductor and composer.

Having achieved, he says, everything he wanted to achieve, at the age of 47 Karabits now finds himself trying to work out what his next challenges are.

In a reflective mood when we spoke, he truly doesn’t seem to know.

“So now it is a very interesting time because I am asking myself what else do I want to do?

“You work hard and you accomplish things and then you suddenly come to a point where you have achieved all you wanted.”

As Karabits prepares to take the podium for his last concert as BSO chief conductor, all concerned know May 15 at Lighthouse Poole will be a special occasion.

He said: “It will be emotional of course but it’s not like am saying goodbye, maybe see you later or something. You are not getting rid of me.”