Bandurist/kobzar Julian Kytasty gets enthusiastic reception in Texas (10/26/03)

Bandurist/kobzar Julian Kytasty gets enthusiastic reception in Texas

by Stephen Sokolyk

NEW BRAUNFELS, Texas - Breezing through Texas in a scant four days, bandurist/kobzar Julian Kytasty began his Lone Star tour in Houston on Thursday, September 18, with a recital at North Harris College.

Playing to an audience composed mainly of faculty and students, Mr. Kytasty presented traditional Ukrainian music on sopilka, kobza (modern replica) and bandura, with explanatory commentary for each piece in the program. Visuals of Ukrainian scenes and artworks were projected to a screen behind him, and Mr. Kytasty used these to good advantage in remarks to his Texan audience about the historical and cultural contexts of his music.

Much of the program was drawn from the material on Mr. Kytasty's CD "Black Sea Winds." In addition, an amusing educational song about the singing of the old kobzari (in the vein of: "... they would sing a few notes in the same chord and then, for dramatic effect, they would change chords this way ...") brought the figure of the wandering minstrel to life. The recital ended with "Echo of the Steppes," a modern concert piece composed by Hryhoriy Kytasty (Julian's great-uncle) and informed by centuries of kobzar tradition.

The audience was mesmerized from start to finish, and many stayed after the performance to examine the instruments more closely and to speak with Mr. Kytasty about his work.

On Friday, September 19, Mr. Kytasty played a concert at Pokrova Ukrainian Church in Houston to an overwhelmingly Ukrainian audience of close to 100 people. (Among the attendees were a few faculty from North Harris College who wanted to experience the music once more and brought their families to hear it.)

Again playing sopilka, kobza and bandura, Mr. Kytasty spoke occasionally about the instruments and the songs, but mostly let the music speak for itself. Following the concert the Ukrainian American Cultural Club of Houston provided a dessert reception for Mr. Kytasty and the audience.

On September 20 it was on to the Dallas/Fort Worth area. Over 60 people came and enjoyed a wonderful performance at St. Basil Byzantine Catholic Church in Irving. The audience felt the performer's passion for Ukraine and the bandura in the lyrics and presentation. He entertained the audience with delightful stories about the music and instruments. All were impressed by his talents, so finely tuned by years of practice and dedication.

Afterward, he visited with the attendees and provided an opportunity for people to purchase his latest CD recording. Everyone also enjoyed some wonderful snacks and desserts. St. Basil's new church hall turned out to be an excellent venue, for which the Ukrainian American Society of Texas was very grateful.

The last stop on the minstrel's whirlwind tour was the chapel of St. Paul Lutheran Church in New Braunfels, where 36 eager listeners, young and old, listened raptly to Mr. Kytasty's music and fascinating stories that brought to life the cultural context of the music. In addition to members of the Austin and San Antonio Ukrainian communities, several members of the church took the opportunity for cultural enrichment. Afterward, refreshments were served as people got the chance to see the instruments up close and speak with the master bandurist. The next day Mr. Kytasty continued his journey westward.

Many members of the Ukrainian communities of Texas expressed their hope that this will be the first of a series of Texas swings by Ukrainian artists, who can count on enthusiastic receptions in several places in Texas.

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