NOTES ON PEOPLE (07/02/00)

NOTES ON PEOPLE

Performs honors recital of Ukrainian art songs

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio - Christina Hancher gave a concert of Ukrainian art songs at Youngstown State University's Bliss Recital Hall as part of her senior honors project.

Accompanied by Charmaine Siagian on the piano, Miss Hancher explained that she chose these particular songs - all in the Ukrainian language - from her maternal grandmother's vast collection. Her grandmother, Olha Sushko Nakonechny (who was present at the recital) is a professional musician who holds a degree in piano and voice, and is known as a vocal soloist (radio, concert and opera) in Ukraine and other parts of Europe, as well as in Canada and the United States, where she currently lives and works.

The songs Miss Hancher chose represented a wide variety of Ukrainian composers, from the Classical era to the late Romantic and earlier 20th century. The program included such works as Zhanetta's Aria from Bortniansky's opera "Sokil", Lysenko's "Aistry", and Antin Rudnitsky's "Ty Voskresnesh Ukraino!" from his song cycle titled "Four Songs of Free Ukraine."

Miss Hancher explained she chose these particular songs because "It is such beautiful music. I feel the best representation of a culture is its art. Unfortunately, outside of a select few here in the United States, not many people are even aware of these works. Everyone in the Music School exposed to these songs was amazed at their rich and intricate beauty. I feel it is my calling to make them better known."

Miss Hancher, a mezzo-soprano, sang with particularly good articulation and vocal control in rich, warm tones, which served to accentuate the deep feelings of the music. Her candid comments, often delivered with light humor, served to introduce the audience to the lyrics of the songs as well as to the historical circumstances of their composition. She is currently preparing a research and analysis paper for these songs, which will be housed at Youngstown State University's Scholar Archives.

Miss Hancher, 24, serves as a cantor at St. Anne's Ukrainian Catholic Church in Austintown, Ohio, and is the daughter of Maxim and Maria Hancher.

A reception in the foyer of the recital hall was held after the concert.

Ms. Hancher is a member of Ukrainian National Association Branch 161.

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