NEW RELEASES: Roman Klun's "Passion of the Angel" CD (04/07/02)

NEW RELEASES

Roman Klun's "Passion of the Angel" CD

STONEY CREEK, Ontario - "Passion of the Angel" is the latest and second Ukrainian world-music recording by Roman Klun, an award-winning producer, sound engineer and arranger recognized for his accomplishments in the music industry.

In "Passion of the Angel," Mr. Klun appears as arranger, vocalist and songwriter, as well as instrumentalist, along with close friends and colleagues - among them guest vocalist Renata Duma and Jen Chapin, and fellow musicians Ron Cahute, Karen Elizabeth Aniol, Bill Dillon, Harvey Jones, Dave King, Mark Zubek, Dave J. Young and Rob Fakete.

The disk comprises four traditional songs in contemporary arrangement by Mr. Klun; two melodies to the poetry of Taras Shevchenko - "My Thoughts" and "Learn, My Brothers," in an arrangement by Mr. Klun; and "Extended Welcome," written by Mr. Klun, a composition that won a Genie Award for best film theme song.

Also featured are "Terrace on the Terrace," a traditional melody performed by Mr. Cahute; "Stairs on the Hill," with music by Michael Hampson, with East Indian texture and lyrics by Mr. Klun; and the hymn "Amazing Grace."

Notes to "Passion of the Angel" provide background information and the source of inspiration for each piece, be it the 1980 Canadian performance of the Ukrainian group Kobza, which proved to be a seminal experience in the genesis of Mr. Klun's first CD, titled "Ancestors" (1999); the experience of having lived in New Orleans and New York City, and worked in record production and engineering with many talented artists and musicians; the journey of self-discovery in travels throughout England, France and Austria; or the profound experiences that formed part of Mr. Klun's trip to Ukraine in 2000, especially to Shevchenko's burial mound in Kaniv and to the Pecherska Lavra Monastery in Kyiv.

A frequent subtext in Mr. Klun's work is the experience of revelation and rebirth, arising out of a return to and communion with the ancestral source.

"Passion of the Angel" is dedicated to Mr. Klun's father, Jaroslav, a prominent Ukrainian Canadian choreographer, founder of the Rusalka and the Chaika Ukrainian dance ensembles of Winnipeg, Manitoba, and Hamilton, Ontario, respectively; as well as to Mr. Klun's abiding sources of inspiration, Taras Shevchenko and the late singer Volodymyr Ivasiuk.

According to Petro Lopata of Novyi Shliakh of Toronto, the CD is remarkable for its rich layers of sound and, although it gives voice to traditional Ukrainian folk motifs, it is "obviously not for the timid listener." Mr. Lopata forewarns the prospective listener not to "expect plodding remakes of the old folk standards," going on to note Mr. Klun's "iconoclastic, personal take on "Dumy Moyi," with words by Shevchenko."

"Passion of the Angel," an Innsbruck Records production, is available for $18.95 plus $1.50 shipping and handling. For orders and additional information call (905) 662-9304; e-mail [email protected]; or visit the website www.innsbruckrecords.com.

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Mr. Klun is a recipient of the Genie Award, Canada's most prestigious film/movie industry honor, presented in 1999 for his work as a producer, engineer and arranger. He was also awarded the Canadian Recording Industry Association's 4X Platinum Award for engineering work on Sarah McLachlan's hit single "Possession."

A lecturer at Recording Arts Canada, he has been affiliated as sound engineer with such companies as Sun Microsystems and has worked with such singers and musicians as Mmes. McLachlan and Chapin, Blaise Pascal, Tony Levin and Mr. Dillon.

Mr. Klun has co-produced and engineered the first-ever recording of Bishop Isidore Borecky officiating at a church liturgy at St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church in Toronto (2000). Since 1992 he has been co-producer and engineer of the Ron Cahute/Burya recordings and the children's series "Barabolya."

He has made numerous appearances on CFMT-TV's "Svitohlad" Ukrainian program and is a frequent performer at Canada's National Ukrainian Festival and at Toronto's Bloor Street Festival.

A dedicated dancer since his youth, he has danced professionally with Roma Pryma-Bohachevsky in New York and was an instructor in Ms. Pryma-Bohachevsky's summer dance workshops, and has traveled the globe with various professional dance troupes, orchestras and ensembles.

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