Kitka

Kitka is a women's vocal ensemble unlike any other. These sophisticated singers blend a contemporary sensibility with specialized vocal techniques from Eastern Europe that have been distilled over centuries. Using only the pure unaccompanied voice, they create a constantly shifting landscape of sound, pulsing with angular rhythms, where dynamic leap from velvet stillness to shattering resonance, and flinty unisons explode into lush incomprehensible chords.

Kitka's material ranges from ancient villages duets to classically-based choral works, from early music to contemporary theater. The sound of their voices is exotic, both elegant and eerie. The melodies are strangely beautiful. The languages they sing are largely unfamiliar to American ears - Bosnian, Bulgarian, Croatian, Georgian, Hungarian, Macedonian, Romanian, Russian, with the occasional Latin, Galician, and ancient Greek. It is exactly this unfamiliarity that is so riveting, as Kitka's sensitive precision lifts their work our of the merely musical into a universe beyond words, an experience that is primal, and elemental.

Discography

The Rusalka Cycle

Awakening River Rose Wave Farewell Transformation Last Night Sirens Lamentation To The Lake

In Slavic folklore, Rusalki are the restless spirits of women who have died unjust, untimely or unnatural deaths. They inhabit the waters, forests, and fields, luring people to them with their mesmerizing songs and wild laughter. Performed by the eight powerful vocalists of Kitka, The Rusalka Cycle is a riveting dream-like journey that weaves traditional Eastern European folk song together with original music by Mariana Sadovska. This CD features Kitka singing as you’ve never heard them sing before. With stirring accompaniment by cellists Moses Sedler and Elaine Kreston, and percussionist Kevin Mummey, this CD captures the highly dramatic and risk-taking performance piece that has wowed audiences and critics alike.

Listen to "Lamentation" in Real Audio.

Winter Songs

Tec, Peleite, Zernju Zogtu (Latvia) Byla Cesta (Moravia) Domnulet Si Domn Din Cer (Romania) Zamuchi Se Bozha Majka (Bulgaria) Alilo (Georgia) Otche Nash (Russia / Bulgaria) Sculati Gazde, Nu Dormiti (Romania) Betlehem, Betlehem (Hungary) Dostokno Jest (Bulgaria) Oj, Jak Priletaly Taj Dva Sokolonky (Ukraine) Nova Radost' Stala (Belarus) Oj, U Horodi (Ukraine) Bozha Zvezda (Bulgarian Macedonia) Ayios Vasilis (Greece) Hubuva Milka (Bulgaria) Tsarsko Momce Kon Sedlae (Bulgaria) Ma Navu (Israel) Shen Khar Venakhi (Georgia) Shchedrick (Ukraine) A v Jerusalime (South Russia / Ukraine)

This recording showcases material ranging from rousing Slavic folk carols and lush, meditative Eastern Orthodox sacred choral works, to pre-Christian incantations for the longest nights of the year and Hebrew folk songs for Chanukah. Highlights include Tec Peleite Zernju Zogtu, an ancient Latgalian (Eastern Latvian) Winter Solstice song invoking the god of the heavens and the goddess of the Sun; Koledni Pesni, a medley of Bulgarian folk carols recalling the nativity sung in the traditional antiphonal village style; and Byla Cesta, a poignant 19th-century Moravian carol. Other pieces include the sublime 12th-century Georgian hymn to the Virgin Shen Khar Venakhi; and a collection of joyful Shchedrivki, songs sung for the traditional Ukrainian New Year festival of Malanka. Wintersongs was recorded in the world-famous acoustic environment of the Skywalker Studios in Marin County by Leslie Ann Jones, and was produced by Grammy-nominated Bay Area vocalist and band leader Linda Tillery.

Listen to "Byla Cesta (Moravia)" in Real Audio.

The Vine

Subrali Sa Se Subrali Leskoviq Benet Pazar I Mori Makja Jano / Lepa Jano Zhuralyky Odletily Ne Po Pogrebu Bochonochek Kataetsja Prehvrukna Ptichka Cantec De Leagane De Szeretnek Az Egen Csillag Lenni Zaspo Janko Zaplakala E Gorata Shen Khar Venakhi Tjeraj, Mala, Ovce Preko Brega Kak Ivan-to Hodit-Brodit Hubava Milka Kak Po Morju Dor Tri Mi Pushki Puknaa Iavnana Metskhvaris Simghera "rim-Ti-Tairi" Po Polju

Oakland-based 8-woman World/Folk group Kitka, founded in 1979, performs stunning, emotion-filled songs from the Eastern European folk tradition. Occasional accompaniment, in the form of harp, rebec & vielle, and percussion draws little attention from the voices of these women or their strong material. 19 songs, with text and explanations in the beautiful full-color liner notes, from Bulgaria, Macedonia, Ukraine, Russia, Hungary, Georgia and Bosnia. Kitka's first two releases, "Nectar" and "Voices on the Eastern Wind" are hard acts to follow, but "The Vine" is the group's best yet. Listen to powerful rhythms of the opening cut, the Bulgarian folk tune "Subrali Sa Se Subrali" or have your heart broken by the Croatian lament "Zaspo Janko"--it's all amazing. We loved Kitka's performance at the West Coast Summit, and their recordings are as bell-like and pure as any choral group we've heard. Recommended!

Listen to "Shen Khar Venakhi" and "Zaspo Janko" in Real Audio.

Nectar

Dumai, Zlato Vdol Po Rechenke Na Gore, Na Gorinke Malo Selo Shto Si, Goro, Povyakhnala? Melai Doina Lulay, Lulay Tsintsharo Ah Razpasledni Raz Devchonechka Stoinole, Stokole Hopp Ide Tisztan Vchera Se Zheni Mlad Stoyan/ Godini, Godini Shto Mi E Milo Tuhkala Li Sim, Momina Male Szerelem, Szerelem Devoike, Mari, Khubava Ogreyala Mesechina Miskolc Felol Hidegen Fuj A Szel

The remarkable women of Kitka-eight in number-perform Eastern European songs (occasionally accompanied by folk harp, lute and hand percussion) of unusual beauty. Though sung in their native languages (the subject matter is explained in the text) the fundamental essence of emotion is as immediate as the earth itself. The Russian "Na Gore, Na Gorinke" is placid and serene, the Bulgarian "Malo Selo," with it¼s plunging vocal descent, an alarm to the senses. Some, such as "Shto Mi E Milo," are derived from folk dances. A variety of textures and intervals (the use of drone notes on "Szerelem, Szerelem" for example) add distinction.

9722 CD $14.98

Voices On The Eastern Wind

The Eastern Wind Tikho nad Richkoyu Duynel Idi ut Oftcetya Moma Bega Prez Livade Bratets Kosi Haydutin Stuyan Predite Prelye Dimyaninka Son Mi Doyde V Serykh Sumerkakh Zaspala Li Si Yagodo Na Pat Yodam Pustono Ludo I Mlado Ta Ti Postilam Ay Mori Milke Yofcharche Mlado Vetar Vee

1992 recording from this powerful, San Francisco Bay-Area based, ten-voice women¹s group. Founded in 1979, their material is derived from the Eastern European folk tradition, and is both aesthetically pure and emotionally wrenching. With exquisite control and flawless skill, Kitka imbues these frequently somber-sounding compositions with passion, realism and humanity. "Bratets Kosi," (Croatia) is a vital outburst, "Haydutin Stuyan," (Bulgaria) ascends to the tri-tone to establish its tragic theme. A solo period instrument minimally accompanies four tracks. With explanations in English of the native texts, these songs offer a unique glimpse into another world.

9741 CD $14.98

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