Ukrainian Bandurist Chorus releases live recording from European tour

DETROIT - The all-male Ukrainian Bandurist Chorus announced the release of its 31st North American-produced album, European Tour: Historic Lviv Recordings," coinciding with their 2004 Spring Concert Series in Syracuse, N.Y.; Hartford, Conn.; New York City; Clifton, N.J.; and Philadelphia. The CD presents an exciting program of select folk songs, and the exotic sounds of the bandura from the chorus's historic 2003 European concert tour. Select composers include: Brahms, Gounod, Hryhoriy Kytasty, Mykola Leontovych, Newton and Oleh Mahlay. The album is available on compact disc only.

This CD is unique in that it brings together a compilation of powerful performances captured at various concert halls over four countries. Emmy award-winning recording engineer Orest Sushko, who is also a member of the chorus, served as the mix engineer for this live project. Mr. Sushko received an Emmy award in 2001 for outstanding mixing on the TV mini-series "Nuremberg," starring Alec Baldwin.

Alex Kytasty, a Detroit-based freelance recording engineer handled the location recording. Design and layout are credited to Darius Polanski, and production is by Toronto-based RDR Music Group. Executive producer is Anatoli Murha.

Founded in 1918, the Ukrainian Bandurist Chorus has a long and proud history of representing Ukrainian bandura and choral music on the international stage. It survived both Soviet and Nazi occupations, and since 1949 has enjoyed the freedom of artistic expression in the United States of America.

Today, the majority of chorus members are second-and-third generation Americans and Canadians. Boasting a repertoire of more than 500 songs, this internationally celebrated ensemble has captivated audiences in major concert halls in the United States, Canada, Europe, Australia and Ukraine since immigrating to North America from Europe in 1949.

They have also performed for such noted personalities as former President Richard Nixon, former President Ronald Reagan, movie star Jack Palance and former President of Ukraine Leonid Kravchuk.

"European Tour: Historic Live Recordings" may be purchased at one of the chorus's concert venues this April or by visiting www.bandura.org.

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The Ukrainian Bandurist Chorus, 2004 spring concert series includes the following venues:

• Syracuse; Friday, April 2, 7 p.m.; Fowler School Auditorium, 227 Magnolia St. Tickets: (315) 471-4074;
  
  
• Hartford, Conn.: Saturday, April 3, 7 p.m.; Theater of the Performing Arts, 359 Washington St.; tickets: (860) 757-6388;
  
  
• New York City: Sunday, April 4, 2 p.m.; The Great Hall At The Cooper Union, Third Avenue at Seventh Street, tickets: (917) 559-8629.
  
  
• Clifton: Saturday, April 24, 6:30 p.m.; W. Wilson Middle School, 1400 Van Houten Ave., tickets: (917) 559-8629; and
  
  
• Philadelphia: Sunday, April 25, 3 p.m.;

Manor College, 700 Fox Chase Road, Jenkintown, Pa.; tickets: (215) 242-3689.

Copyright © The Ukrainian Weekly, March 7, 2004, No. 10, Vol. LXXII

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