Vesnivka
Vesnivka, founded in 1965 by Halyna Kvitka Kondracki, is an acclaimed and award winning women's choir based in Toronto, Canada. The 40 member choir grew out of the Ukrainian-Canadian community of Toronto and its surrounding area and is considered to be one of the most prominent and respected women's choirs in North America. In 1993, Vesnivka attended its first International Choral Competition in Llangollen, Wales and won first place in the Folk category, competing against 22 world-class choirs. At the closing of the choral competition, the Choir performed at the grand finale and was awarded the esteemed W.S. Gwynn Williams International Trophy for outstanding performance. In 2000, Vesnivka Choir travelled to Linz, Austria where it competed in the 1st Choir Olympics and won a Silver Medal in the Folklore A Cappella category. Vesnivka Choir continually commissions Canadian composers in order to develop its repertoire, to provide for these creative individuals a venue for their talents and to introduce these new and wonderful sounds to choral audiences. These include: Larysa Kuzmenko, Zenoby Lawryshyn, Alexander Levkovich, Willi Hwozdetcky and Evhen Stankovich.
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Springtime Dreams The Little Cuckoo Bird Memories A Young Maiden's Garden The Grey Cuckoo The Parting The Little Mulberry The Maiden's Lament On Yonder Hill May I Go Dancing? The Sorrowful Stork On The Eve Of "Ivana Kupala" Ivana Kupala" The Sounds of Karpaty "Ivanchyku" Springtime Showers Verchovyno |
Established in Toronto, Canada in 1965 by founding conductor Halyna Kondracka, the award-winning, 50-member, all-female Vesnivka Choir is renowned for its musical excellence and quality repertoire. The Choir has performed its impressive repertoire of Ukrainian liturgical, classical and folk music, in full Ukrainian costume, on concert stages all over the world including Carnegie Hall, London's Royal Albert Hall and Rome's St. Peter's Basilica. Kondracka, a member of the Ukrainian Canadian Choral Society, has also received many personal honors for her work. 17 authentic songs, all sung in Ukrainian: "Springtime Dreams," "The Little Cuckoo Bird," "A Young Maiden's Garden," "The Parting," "The Little Mulberry," "The Maiden's Lament," "On Yonder Hill," "May I Go Dancing?," "The Sounds of the Karpaty," "Ivanchyku," "Springtime Showers" and "Verchovyno" are some favorites. These are deeply-felt songs that touch or break the heart, songs of lost love and desire, joy, memories, leaving and sorrow. A very special CD from Canada's wonderful, incongruous, authentic Ukrainian ensemble, the Vesnivka Choir!
Listen to "Ivana Kupala" in Real Audio.
| 7822 CD $15.98 |
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God Is With Us Tropar of the Nativity of Christ The Bright Star (arr.N Nyzankiwskyj, Y.Poliansky) Joyous Tidings (arr. Y. Yatsynewych solo A. Yaschyshyn) Wondrous News (arr. O. Koshytz) Behold a Miracle (arr. L.Sorochynsky, L. Kuzmenko, orchestral arr. G Kulesha) The Joyous Birth of Christ (Y. Yatsynewych) Angels In Heaven (O. Koshytz, orchestral arr. L. Kuzmennko) A Soldier's Carol (Z. Lawryshyn) Chernobyl Carol (J. Kytasty - words and music solo H. Feloniuk) Holy Night (arr. M. Hajvoronsky, orchestral arr. E. Robertson) Heaven and Earth Rejoice! (H. Havryletz) The Queen's Court (H. Havryletz) Return of the Swallow (arr. E. Pip Good Wishes for the New Year (arr. M. Dauk, Z. Lawryshyn) Shchedryk (T. Stasiuk) Shchedrivonjka (arr. M. Dacko, orchestral arr. Z Lawryshyn) Beyond the Courtyard (arr. M Hajvoronsky, orchestral arr. E.Robertson) |
Ukranian Christmas Carols - Kolyadky - (1 - 11) are sung from Christmas Eve - January 6 (according to the Julian Calendar) to Epiphany on January 19. These songs can be traced to pagan times. With the introduction of Christianity in Ukraine in 988, pagan songs were replaced by Christian carols and hymns. Shchedrivky - New Years song - (12-17) also have pagan roots and herald the New Year which starts January 14. These delightful folk songs with their charming rhythmic melodies, express wishes for health, wealth and happines.
Listen to "The Bright Star" in Real Audio.
| 7823 CD $15.98 |
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Christ Is Born Let Us Rejoice The Stars Shone From Heaven Heaven And Earth Rejoice A Son Is Born Wondrous Tidings The Carolers Schedrivka Christ Sat Down To Supper The Peacocks The Guelder - Rose Meadow Malanka The Beautiful Guelder - Rose In The Master's Household The Carol |
Kolyadky (carols) and Shchedrivky (New Year's songs) are one of the oldest genres of Ukrainian folk music, dating back to the pre-Christian era. With the coming of Christianity in 988, pagan songs were replaced with Christian carols and hymns, and these delightful (all accompanied) songs reflect sectarian life and express wishes for good health, wealth and happiness. The all-woman Vesnivka Choir was established in 1965 by conductor/director Halyna Kondracki and has won many awards. The Toronto Ukrainian Male Chamber Choir was founded in 2001 by Kondraki in affiliation with Vesnivka. 15 tunes, from "Christ is Born" and "Heaven and earth rejoice" to "The beautiful guelder-rose" and "The Carol." Wonderful solos on "The stars shone from heaven" and "A son is born." This beautiful music, from another culture and another time, is all new to us, but that only increases our appreciation for and enjoyment of it!
| 8311 CD $15.98 |
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