Toronto's Vesnivka Choir delights international audiences (01/25/98)

Toronto's Vesnivka Choir delights international audiences

by Lesia Ferenc

TORONTO - Music lovers filled a Toronto cathedral to the rafters recently, anxious to hear the award-winning Vesnivka Choir join voices with Canada's internationally renowned Elmer Iseler Singers. And it was love at first sight and sound.

The Vesnivka Choir, a 50-member women's ensemble under the direction of talented founding conductor Halyna Kvitka Kondracka, performed a traditional repertoire of Ukrainian Christmas music, much to the delight of the audience which reveled in the seasonally inspired program.

Though they may not have understood a word, since most of the 600 plus people who filled the pews were non-Ukrainians and long-time fans and followers of the professional Elmer Iseler Singers and that ensemble's conductor Dr. Elmer Iseler, the audience was nonetheless moved by music so beautifully communicated by Vesnivka.

If there's one thing Vesnivka knows how to do well, it's how to get its musical message across to an audience.

The Toronto-based group has been getting plenty of practice over the past few years. This summer Vesnivka pulled out all the stops with an outstanding performances in St. John's, Newfoundland, during Festival 500, a weeklong event opened by Queen Elizabeth II - part of the national celebration to mark explorer John Cabot's historic landfall in 1497 on the rugged shores of what is known today as Newfoundland.Vesnivka was one of only two choirs from Ontario selected to participate in the choral extravaganza that attracted professional, amateur and young singers from every corner of the globe.

For those who may not be familiar with Canada's most eastern province, its music is as hearty and fun-loving as its people. Any Newfoundlander will tell you they were raised on folk music and that it's a way of life.

It was the perfect venue for Vesnivka to showcase its treasure trove of Ukrainian folk songs that have won the ensemble numerous awards, including first place at the 1993 International Music Eisteddfodd in Llangollen, Wales.

Vesnivka won the ovations and hearts of its audiences, and kudos from a local music critic at the Evening Telegram daily newspaper who observed the choir presented "an exceptionally well-prepared, polished performance highlighted by some outstanding solo work."

Dressed in their striking traditional Ukrainian costumes, Vesnivka members were also featured on the front page of the Telegram.

Working with professionals such as Winnipeg Symphony conductor Bramwell Tovey was inspiring and an education in itself, according to Vesnivka President Irka Naberezny.

Mr. Tovey conducted the 600-voice choir and symphony orchestra during its performance of Carl Orff's powerful "Carmina Burana" during the festival gala concert, which was attended by Newfoundland's Premier Brian Tobin.

The festival served as a reunion for Ms. Kondracka and Dr. Iseler, her former music professor at the University of Toronto. In an interview Dr. Iseler expressed his congratulations to Vesnivka and Ms. Kondracka for their high level of professionalism and musical excellence. "It's so rewarding to see former students doing such good work," he said.

After attending a Ukrainian Byzantine rite liturgy sung by Vesnivka at a Catholic church in St. John's, Dr. Iseler and Mr. Tovey both offered high praise for the choir.

Many choir members had a chance to meet with Mr. Tovey and other festival performers informally, providing an opportunity for one-on-one discussions about music and singing.

"These are people you don't normally have a chance to meet and get to know," said Vesnivka choir member Marika Baczynsky. "It was wonderful."

Dr. Iseler extended an invitation for Vesnivka to perform with his singers last month, Ms. Kondracka and choir members could hardly contain their delight.

"It was very exciting and we were thrilled," Ms. Kondracka added.

Promoting Ukrainian choral music is one of Ms. Kondracka's and Vesnivka's goals, and audiences at home and abroad obviously appreciate their talents.

As guests of the Utrechts Byzantijns Koors (UBK) during a tour of the Netherlands and Belgium in 1996, Vesnivka performed to packed houses in six cities. The tour opened with a concert in The Hague attended by Michael Bell, Canada's ambassador to the Netherlands. Impressed by their talents, he applauded members, describing them as "Canada's musical ambassadors."

The Netherlands tour also provided the Vesnivka choir with numerous opportunities to meet with international musicians and singers in an exchange of ideas that not only helped foster a better understanding of Canadians but also of Ukrainians and their rich culture.

The tour also strengthened Vesnivka's long-standing relationship with the UBK, which also has been promoting Ukrainian culture for the past 47 years, despite the fact that none of its members are Ukrainian.

In the past Ms. Kondracka has served as guest conductor of the UBK and assisted during that ensemble's highly successful tour of Ukraine in 1990. The UBK has proposed another joint project for the not too distant future.

To mark Vesnivka's 30th anniversary season in 1996, the choir released its first compact disc featuring the best loved Ukrainian folk songs and new works by Canadian composers. Titled "Vesnivka," the CD has been featured on the Canadian Broadcasting Corp.'s (CBC) popular choral radio program, and has won the choir much acclaim.

Vesnivka is preparing for another exciting year: the choir has been invited to perform a special concert for the Ukrainian National Association's convention to be held this coming May in Toronto - the first time that fraternal organization is holding its quadrennial convention in Canada.

As part of the celebration, Vesnivka will feature Winnipeg singer Alexis Kochan. It's a project the diva of Ukrainian folk music says she's eagerly looking forward to.

"I've wanted to work with Vesnivka for some time," Ms. Kochan said during a recent interview. "This collaboration is certainly exciting."

Ms. Kochan recently released "Paris to Kyiv Variances," her second CD of hauntingly beautiful folk songs, some of which will no doubt be included as part of the program being prepared for the UNA convention. Her first CD, titled "From Paris to Kyiv," has been well received by music fans around the world.

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