OCTOBER 18, 2014
NEW YORK CITY OCTOBER 19, 2014
PHILADELPHIA
ЛАУРЕАТИ ДЕРЖАВНОЇ ШЕВЧЕНКІВСЬКОЇ ПРЕМІЇ
Apart from the sheer genius of his poems, writings, and paintings, Taras Hryhorovych Shevchenko (1814-1861), perhaps unwittingly, crystallized the concept of the Ukrainian nation. Born into serfdom, he chafed against the oppressive Tsarist Russian rule, and was exiled from Ukraine until his death. His works have influenced every Ukrainian writer, composer and patriotic leader to this day – more than two centuries after his birth. So great was his influence and belief in democratic principles, his statue was placed in the heart of Washington D.C. in 1964 on the occasion of the 150th anniversary of his birth. The monument bears Shevchenko’s verse, written in 1848:
“When shall we get ourselves a Washington To promulgate his new and righteous law? But someday we shall surely find the man!” This concert by the Ukrainian Bandurist Chorus provides a sampling of various styles and composers touched by the words of Shevchenko. We hope this inspires you to further explore Shevchenko’s vibrant use of language, insightful interpretation of Ukrainian history, and prophetic vision of its future.
TARAS SHEVCHENKO 1814-1861
ТАРАС ШЕВЧЕНКО 1814-1861 Тарас Григорович Шевченко (1814 – 1861) великий син українського народу, усією своєю геніальною творчістю – поезією, прозою, живописом – підсвідомо кристалізував концепцію Української нації. Вплив його творчості має неоціненне значення для митців не одного покоління, а його патріотичні, пророчі ідеї живуть в серцях усіх українських патріотів. 1964 року, у центрі Вашінґтону, D.C., з нагоди 150 річниці від дня народження Тараса Григоровича Шевченка, був встановлений пам’ятник з викарбованими словами:
“Коли ми діждем Вашінґтона З новим і праведним законом? А діждемось – таки колись!” Українська Капеля Бандуристів ім. Тараса Григоровича Шевченка у цьому концерті подає найкращі різноманітні зразки музичних творів на слова Тараса Шевченка. Сподіваємося, що і надалі вас надихатиме творчість генія українського народу, в якій ви знайдете проникливе тлумачення української історії та пророче бачення майбутнього.
UKRAINIAN BANDURIST CHORUS
Driven by passion, tradition, and history, the all-male Ukrainian Bandurist Chorus (UBC) preserves and exemplifies its mission as ambassadors of Ukrainian culture, music and the unique 60 stringed instrument, the bandura.
Reagan, movie star Jack Palance, former Presidents of Ukraine Leonid Kravchuk and Viktor Yushchenko. The UBC was featured in the internationally renowned Stratford Summer Music Festival in Stratford, Canada in 2004 and 2010.
Formed in Kyiv in 1918, the UBC survived both Soviet and Nazi occupations and since 1949 has enjoyed the freedom of artistic expression in North America. The UBC is based in Detroit, Michigan, but has members throughout North America: Alberta, California, Connecticut, Illinois, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Ontario, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. It has preserved and promoted the art of bandura by amassing an extensive discography and by touring North America, Australia, Europe, and Ukraine.
As a tribute to its role in preserving and perpetuating the legacy of Ukrainian music, the UBC was selected by Ukraine’s Council of Ministers as the recipient of the Taras Shevchenko Ukrainian State Prize, the highest award that can be bestowed for excellence in the contribution to the arts. The award was presented to the UBC by Leonid Kravchuk, then president of Ukraine, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, during his first visit to America in May 1992.
Boasting a repertoire of more than 500 songs, this internationally celebrated ensemble has performed at such well known concert venues as Carnegie Hall, the Kyiv Opera House, Kennedy Center, the Notre Dame Cathedral and Massey Hall. They have also performed for such notable personalities as former President Richard Nixon, former President Ronald
Після війни, під опікую Аліантів і при активній допомозі ЗУАДК-у, у 1949 р. Капеля емігрувала до США. Новоприбрана батьківщина дала можливість вільно співати патріотичні українські пісні, продовжувати та розвивати століттями плеканні традиції кобзарського мистецтва і передавати ці традиції наступним поколінням. З часу прибуття до берегів Північної Америки, Капеля дала понад 600 концертів, побувала з концертними турами в тринадцяти країнах на трьох континентах і має в своєму репертуарі понад 500 творів для хору і бандур. Крім концертової діяльности, Капеля щорічно організовує і проводить музичні табори і семінари вдосконалення техніки гри на бандурі. В результаті цієї діяльности Капеля поповнилась новою генерацією молодих і талановитих бандуристів.
ІСТОРІЯ КАПЕЛІ БАНДУРИСТІВ
Українська Капеля Бандуристів була зорганізована в Києві у 1918 р., у час короткого, але світлого періоду існування незалежної Української Держави. Ідеали бандуристів - Бог, правда, воля та гідність людини – оспівувані у їх думах та піснях, для нової влади більшовиків, що окупувала Україну, були прямою загрозою їх безбожному режимові. У Радянському Союзі, за Сталіна, було заморено штучним голодом сім мільйонів українських селянхліборобів і було репресовано велику масу української інтелігенції та діячів культури, включно з бандуристами, щоб терором викорінити усі прояви української національної культури. Тим небагатьом членам Капелі Бандуристів, яким пощастило пережити сталінський терор, судилось ще пережити і нацистський терор у період Другої Світової Війни. Однак патріотичні ідеї і традиції українського кобзарства було збережено. Від 1941 року, капеля носить ім’я Української Капеля Бандуристів імени Тараса Шевченка.
The UBC continues to make history with ongoing international concerts, a continued education program for youth, new recordings, and new talent. Intense passion for music by its members is united behind the common goal to extend the tradition of its predecessors, kobzari, by producing memorable performances on the world stage.
ABOUT THE BANDURA Because its development closely reflects the history of the Ukrainian nation, the bandura is more than a national musical instrument: it is the voice of Ukraine. From a musical perspective, the bandura unifies acoustic principles of both the lute and the harp. This produces a sound that is emphatic and gentle, resembling that of a harpsichord, but with a wider range of dynamics and tonal control. Historically, the bandura was played by blind minstrels who traveled from village-to-village singing epic ballads and historical songs. Over centuries, the instrument has evolved in various forms. The Ukrainian Bandurist Chorus has adopted the kharkiv bandura as its instrument of choice to show case its technical versatility and preserve its great history and tradition.
OLEH MAHLAY
ABOUT THE ARTISTIC DIRECTOR Born in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1969 to Ukrainian immigrants, Oleh Mahlay began to study the piano at the age of five. He studied violin, music theory and form at the Cleveland Music School Settlement where he received scholarships for his studies. Maestro Mahlay also studied piano with Dr. George Cherry of the Baldwin Wallace College Conservatory of Music. His violin teachers included Elmer Seltzer of the Cleveland Orchestra and Jeannette Drinkold-Meyer, a student of renowned violinist Josef Gingold. Maestro Mahlay received a bachelor of arts in music history and literature from Case Western Reserve University (CWRU), graduating with magna cum laude and phi beta kappa honors. He studied voice and piano at the Cleveland Institute of Music (CIM), served as the concertmaster of the University Circle Chamber Orchestra for four years, and was a member of the Cleveland Orchestra Youth Orchestra in its inaugural season. Mr. Mahlay attended various seminars throughout the years, including the Bolzano, Italy International Institute of Music, the Baldwin Wallace Music Conservatory Summer Music Clinic, and the Ukrainian Choral Conducting Seminar in Edmonton, Alberta. Mr. Mahlay is a practicing attorney in the Cleveland, Ohio region. He continues to teach voice and bandura, lectures frequently on various musical topics, conducts workshops throughout North America and remains active in the Ukrainian Bandurist Chorus sponsored Kobzarska Sich summer bandura and vocal camp. During his first tenure with the UBC from 1996-2008, Mahlay directed the ensemble in seven concert tours throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, and Ukraine. Collaborative efforts with the Vesnivka Women’s Choir of Toronto and Metropolitan Opera Soloist Paul Plishka also highlighted Maestro’s first term, in addition to many special performances including the Stratford Summer Music Festival (2004) and at the Baldwin Wallace College World Music Series (2007). Maestro Mahlay returned to the UBC as Artistic Director and Conductor on August 1, 2012.
Artistic Director and Conductor Oleh Mahlay
President Anatoli W. Murha
Assistant Conductors Roman Beley and Ihor Kusznir
Concertmaster Andrij Birko
SECOND TENORS
INSTRUMENTALISTS Wolodymyr Babicky Roman Beley Andrij Birko Matey Diachok Zenon Krislaty Luke Lashchuk Alex Lys Boyan Makarenko Yuriy Metulynsky Anatoli W. Murha Wolodymyr Murha Mykola Murskyj Joseph Tobianski
Yurko Burtniak John Kytasty Roman Jakubowycz Vasyl Grabovyy Danylo Smolilo Vasyl Troyanovych
BARITONES Volodymyr Brechun Julian Hayda Andrew Hladyshevsky Joseph Kolodka Ihor Krislaty Ihor Kusznir Bohdan Sklierenko Michael Stecyk Stepan Szyszka
FIRST TENORS
BASSES
Bohdan Balko Theodore Bodnar Zenon Chaikovsky Yarema Hryciw Jeff Smolilo Myron Trembly Lyubomyr Yakimiv Taras Zakordonski
+ Wasyl Buksa Jurij Jurkiw Adrian Kwitkowsky Bohdan Pryjma Ihor Stasiuk Ivan Topicha Peter Wroblewski Basil Zmiyiwsky Oleh Zmiyiwsky Andrew Zwarych
The Ukrainian Bandurist Chorus would like to thank the following for their assistance in organizing this concert series: Mr. George Fedoriw – Mrs. Stefania Dobriansky – Theodore and Oksana Bodnar – Christine and Bohdan Balko Ihor Kusznir – Thomas Maksymiuk – Alexandra Penkalskyj – Andrew Zwarych – Nicholas Zwarych Prometheus Ukrainian Male Chorus of Philadelphia – Ukrainian Educational and Cultural Center (Jenkintown, PA)
UKRAINIAN RELIGIOUS WORKS УКРАЇНСЬКА ДУХОВНА МУЗИКА THE CHERUBIC HYMN
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music: D. Bortniansky soloists: Y. Hryciw, I. Krislaty, I. Kusznir, J. Smolilo, V. Troyanovich, T. Zakordonski (or Z. Chaikovsky, Z. Krislaty, Y. Metulynsky, S. Szyszka, I. Stasiuk, O. Zmiyiwsky)
SONGS TO THE WORDS OF TARAS SHEVCHENKO ПІСНІ НА СЛОВА ТАРАСА ШЕВЧЕНКА
ХЕРУВИМСЬКА ПІСНЯ музика: Д. Бортнянський
GLORY TO THE FATHER / 2 ONLY-BEGOTTEN SON
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MY TESTAMENT
music: K. Stetsenko, lyrics: T. Shevchenko soloist: L. Lashchuk (or Taras Zakordonski)
music: M. Dyletskiy
ЗАПОВІТ
СЛАВА ОТЦЮ / ЄДИНОРОДНИЙ СИНУ
музика: К. Стеценко / слова: Т. Шевченко соліст: Л. Лащук (або Т. Закордонський)
музика: М. Дилецький
PRAISE THE LORD
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music: M. Verbytskiy soloists: T. Bodnar, Z. Chaikovsky,V. Brechun, I. Stasiuk, S. Szyszka, O. Zmiyiwsky, (or B. Balko, R. Beley, A. Hladyshevsky, I. Krislaty,Y. Metulynsky,T. Zakordonski)
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мelody and lyrics: I. Kuchuhura-Kucherenko аrrangement: O. Mahlay
НА ВИСОКІЙ ДУЖЕ КРУЧІ
музика і слова: І. Кучугура-Кучеренко обробка: О. Махлай
ХВАЛІТЕ ГОСПОДА З НЕБЕС музика: М. Вербицький солісти: Т. Боднар, В. Брехун, О. Зміївський, І. Стасюк, З. Чайковський, С. Шишка. (або Б. Балко, Р. Белей, А. Гладишевський, Т. Закордонський, І. Кріслатий, Ю. Метулинський.)
PRAYER FOR UKRAINE
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music: O. Koshyts melody: M. Lysenko lyrics: O. Konysky
БОЖЕ ВЕЛИКИЙ, ЄДИНИЙ музика: О. Кошиць мелодія: М. Лисенко слова: О. Кониський
ON THE HIGH CLIFFS ABOVE THE DNIPRO
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BERESTECHKO “WHY HAVE YOU BLACKENED, OH GREEN FIELD?”
music: O. Mahlay (traditional Kuban Кozak melody) lyrics: T. Shevchenko soloists: V. Troyanovych & T. Zakordonski (or L. Yakimiv & I. Kusznir)
БЕРЕСТЕЧКО “ОЙ, ЧОГО ТИ ПОЧОРНІЛО ЗЕЛЕНЕЄ ПОЛЕ?„
музика: О. Махлай (традиційна мелодія кубанських козаків) слова: Т. Шевченко солісти: В. Троянович та Т. Закордонський (або Л. Якимів та І. Кушнір)
MY ТHOUGHTS, МY SONGS ... MY MISFORTUNE 8 music: O. Minkivsky (traditional melody) lyrics: T. Shevchenko
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ДУМИ МОЇ, ДУМИ МОЇ, ЛИХО МЕНІ ЗВАМИ музика: О. Мінківський слова: Т. Шевченко
lyrics: T. Shevchenko soloist: O. Zmiyiwsky (or I. Kusznir / I. Stasiuk)
БАНДУРИСТЕ, ОРЛЕ СИЗИЙ
музика: М. Лисенко слова: Т. Шевченко солісти: А. Гладишевський, Я. Гриців, Т. Закордонський, О. Зміївський, З. Кріслатий, А. Квітковський, Ю. Метулинський, З. Чайковський
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INTERMISSION
СОНЦЕ ГРІЄ
музика: П. Потапенко (нар. мелодія) слова: Т. Шевченко
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music by M. Verykivsky lyrics by Т. Shevchenko
музика: М. Вериківський слова: Т. Шевченко
музика: Г. Китастий слова: Т. Шевченко
15 GIRLS, DO NOT WONDER music by M. Lysenko lyrics by T. Shevchenko
TWO SONGS ABOUT MAKSYM ZALIZNIAK
НЕ ДИВУЙТЕСЯ ДІВЧАТА
музика: М. Лисенко слова: Т. Шевченко
ДВІ ПІСНІ ПРО МАКСИМА ЗАЛІЗНЯКА 11
music by Kyrylo Stetsenko arranged by Hryhory Kytasty lyrics by Taras Shevchenko soloist: I. Krislaty (or V. Brechun, I. Kusznir, I. Stasiuk)
ОЙ, ЛІТА ОРЕЛ
LET’S DANCE HANDZIA! ОЙ, ГОП, ТАКИ-ТАК!
ГРАЙ, КОБЗАРЮ!
THE EAGLE FLIES
THE WARMING SUN
music by P. Potapenko (folk melody) words by T. Shevchenko
музика: О. Махлай мелодія: Я. Орлов слова: Т. Шевченко соліст: О. Зміївський (або І. Кушнір / І. Стасюк)
PLAY, KOBZAR!
music: M. Lysenko lyrics: T. Shevchenko soloists: Z. Chaikovsky, A. Hladyshevsky, Y. Hryciw, Z. Krislaty, A. Kwitkowsky, Y. Metulynsky, T. Zakordonski, O. Zmiyivsky
НАШ ОТАМАН ГАМАЛІЯ
BANDURIST, YOU GRAY EAGLE music: O. Mahlay 9 melody: Y. Orlov
music: H. Kytasty lyrics: T. Shevchenko
OUR OTAMAN HAMALIA
музика: К. Стеценко слова: Т. Шевченко соліст: І. Кріслатий (або В. Брехун, І. Кушнір, або І. Стасюк)
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THE MIGHTY DNIPRO ROARS AND MOANS music by: H. Kytasty melody by D. Kryzhanivsky lyrics: T. Shevchenko
РЕВЕ ТА СТОГНЕ ДНІПР ШИРОКИЙ музика: Г. Китастий мелодія: Д. Крижанівський слова: Т. Шевченко
MY TESTAMENT / ЗАПОВІТ Stetsenko, a leading Ukrainian composer of the early 20th century, masterfully captures Shevchenko’s final wishes. The poet beseeches the Ukrainian people to arise, break the shackles of tyranny, and become a free united nation. Shevchenko also hopes that we, as part of a large and free family, quietly and humbly remember him.
ON THE HIGH CLIFFS ABOVE THE DNIPRO / НА ВИСОКІЙ ДУЖЕ КРУЧІ The kobzars were blind minstrels that would travel throughout the cities and countryside singing epic ballads, historic songs, religious works, and humorous songs, while accompanied by a kobzabandura. Kuchuhura-Kucherenko was one such kobzar spanning the 19th and 20th centuries. Addressing Shevchenko after his death, the song proclaims that “your kobza has not perished, all its strings ring true, and all the peoples speak of your eternal glory!”
BERESTECHKO / БЕРЕСТЕЧКО The Battle of Berestechko in June of 1651 was the largest European land battle of the 17th century. The Ukrainian Zaporizhian Kozaks and their allies, the Crimean Tatars, lost approximately 30,000 soldiers near this small town in western Ukraine over the course of several days in their combat against the forces of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. In Shevchenko’s poem, the field, blackened by the blood of the fallen Ukrainians, speaks to future generations of the departed: “You shall not return to freedom, but shall silently till the soil while cursing your fate.”
MY ТHOUGHTS, МY SONGS ... MY MISFORTUNE / МОЇ, ДУМИ МОЇ, ЛИХО МЕНІ ЗВАМИ One of the most popular poems of Shevchenko set to a traditional melody. Shevchenko spent many years of his life away from his native Ukraine and was exiled by Tsar Nicholas I near the Ural Mountains under the strictest surveillance, without the right to write or paint. While meditating and contemplating, Shevchenko sends his troubled thoughts on a journey to his homeland Ukraine. There, they shall find a sincere heart, a kind word, genuine truth, and, perhaps, glory!
BANDURIST, YOU GRAY EAGLE / БАНДУРИСТЕ, ОРЛЕ СИЗИЙ This poem, dedicated to Shevchenko’s friend Mykola Markevych, appeared in Shevchenko’s groundbreaking book of poems published in 1840 – “The Kobzar.” It likens the bandurist to a powerful gray eagle, that has the strength and the wings to fly to Ukraine and seek the freedom found in the wide-open fields of the author’s homeland.
PLAY, KOBZAR! / ГРАЙ, КОБЗАРЮ! The kozaks shout: “Let the kobzar play and let the barmaid pour drinks!...Let us dance so the ground shakes… Dance the hopak, the metelytsia, drink the tankards dry, dance like the wind in the steppes! Play until a better fate comes!”
TWO SONGS ABOUT MAKSYM ZALIZNIAK / ДВІ ПІСНІ ПРО МАКСИМА ЗАЛІЗНЯКА
THE EAGLE FLIES / ОЙ, ЛІТА ОРЕЛ SONG ABOUT MAKSYM ZALIZNIAK / ПІСНЯ ПРО КОЗАКА ЗАЛІЗНЯКА Born into a poor peasant family in the middle of the 18th century, Zalizniak joined the Zaporizhian kozaks and led an uprising against the Polish nobility. He was later captured and tortured by the leadership of the Russian Empire, viewing him as a threat to their rule. Many Ukrainian songs celebrate this hero who valiantly fought for the Ukrainian people and defended the Orthodox faith.
OUR OTAMAN HAMALIA / НАШ ОТАМАН ГАМАЛІЯ Hamalia - a brave Zaporіzhian Kozak leader - gathers his men, sails the sea, and frees his comrades from Turkish imprisonment. As he saves them, he shouts: “Brothers! We shall live!”
THE WARMING SUN / СОНЦЕ ГРІЄ The warming sun and gentle breeze warm the willow and the kalyna (viburnum) trees. The nightingale’s nest rocks in the breeze, but where is he? All is gone, defeated; only the former glory remains in memory.
LET’S DANCE HANDZIA! / ГОП, ТАКИ-ТАК! The кozak calls upon the beautiful girl Handzia to dance, to joke around, to flirt, and to kiss. An excerpt from Shevchenko’s poem Haidamaky.
GIRLS, DO NOT WONDER / НЕ ДИВУЙТЕСЯ ДІВЧАТА Another humorous vignette from Shevchenko’s poem Haidamaky. The haidamak movement, consisting of free kozaks, peasantry, and rebels, waged war against the rule of the Polish nobility in the 18th century on Ukrainian territory. Shevchenko’s epic poem Haidamaky reveals the exuberant character and adventures of these men.
THE MIGHTY DNIPRO ROARS AND MOANS / РЕВЕ ТА СТОГНЕ ДНІПР ШИРОКИЙ The wide Dnipro River moans and groans during the storm, with the wicked wind bending the willows to the ground and raising the waters into mountain-high waves. Before dawn, it becomes silent, and only the owls call to each other.
NEW CD RELEASE!