SOUNDS AND VIEWS: "Strings of the soul" (01/31/99)

SOUNDS AND VIEWS

by Roman Sawycky

"Strings of the soul"

A new cassette, "Strings of the Soul" produced and distributed by the Yevshan Corp. of Canada (issue CYFP-1148, Dolby processing), features composer-vocalist-bandura player Oksana Herasymenko of Lviv. This well-traveled featured artist is the daughter and student of Prof. Vasyl Herasymenko, longtime lecturer at the Lysenko State Music Institute in Lviv, himself an eminent performer and recognized builder of a new, augmented concert bandura.

After graduating from the Lviv Conservatory, Ms. Herasymenko showed the bandura to best advantage at the International Guitar Festival in Havana, where she performed at the invitation of Ichiro Suzuki, with whom she toured festivals in Spain, France and Japan. A winner of several international competitions, Ms. Herasymenko now teaches at the Lysenko Music Institute.

The first part of her new recording explores the intimate chamber music atmosphere of voice and strings in such compositions as "Bez Tebe Den" (A Day Without You), lyrics by Oles Babiy.

"Stoyit Hora Vysokaia" (There Stands a High Mountain) features melancholy variations, and "Strong Winds" (text by Ye. Cherednychenko) is a lament on lovers' separation. In the latter instance one is tempted to compare Ms. Herasymenko - a prolific, gifted, melancholy songstress - to the legendary Marusia Churai.

The second part of the recording focuses on the bandura as solo instrument and as performed with flute, played by Kateryna Nemesh. Conceived independently of any folk influences, the abstract music conveys a wide range of feelings marked by an impressionistic mode; this is conveyed in such works as "Fall Dreams" and "On Wings of Daydreams."

"Paris Portrait" is an evocation of the legendary bandura virtuoso Vasyl Yemetz, who once shone in the City of Light. His instrument is heard no more in the great salons along the Seine, but it still speaks to those who want to hear the strings of national inspiration.

All in all, the music on "Strings of the Soul" is of a lyrical persuasion, expressed in melancholy musings tinged with impressionism. This style relates somewhat to that of early 20th century composers of Lviv but with an added twist: gentle jazz harmony.

The performance, including duets with flute, are entirely convincing. This heartfelt effort can provide a relaxing pause at the end of a long day. It should be noted that the new, augmented concert bandura projects further than the old folk prototype.

(Contemporary composer Yuriy Oliynyk has produced four concertos for just such an instrument with symphony orchestra. When professionally presented, the concert bandura can perform the music of many lands and eras - and thus can serve as an excellent public relations medium between Ukraine and the West. If music speaks all languages, why not communicate the best we have to offer to the rest of the world? Koshetz and Yemetz showned the way to such success 80 years ago.)

Ms. Herasymenko has some 60 bandura works to her credit; hers is a strong commitment to the Ukrainian folk idom. On this cassette she is assisted by folk musician Myron Bloshchychak.

The recording has a technical finesse captured with closely miked sound coming out of perfect silence (unfortunately Yemetz and Hryhoriy Kytasty were not recorded with the Dolby system), setting a standard for other Lviv bandurists, such as Taras Lazurkevych and Oleh Sozansky. The song titles and notes appear in Ukrainian only with exact timings given for each selection.

"Strings of the Soul" is available by mail order from: Yuriy and Ola Oliynyk, 5253 Glancy Drive, Carmichael, CA 95608. Cost: $10, plus $1.50 for shipping.

It is also available from Yevshan Corp., Box 325, Beaconsfield, Quebec H9W 5T8; 1-800-265-9858.

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