MUSIC REVIEW: "Fragmenty" CD continues Paris to Kyiv's musical journey (12/11/05)

MUSIC REVIEW: "Fragmenty" CD continues Paris to Kyiv's musical journey

by Robert B. Klymasz

The disc "Fragmenty" continues the remarkable musical journey initiated some years ago by Winnipeg's Alexis Kochan and continued by the "Paris to Kyiv Ensemble" which she leads as its principal vocalist.

As in the past, the goal here is to capture the soul of Ukrainian folk song, interpret its essence and give it new life. These musicians aren't copy-cats, and listeners unused to experimental or innovative music will need to cast aside their preconceptions before listening to this disc. Enthusiasts of current trends in "world music" will have no trouble warming up to this recording; and ditto for lovers of Ukrainian folk songs.

From start to finish, "Fragmenty" is a musical experience like no other, and total immersion is the only real way to savor this disc.

In essence - although perhaps not intentionally - this recording constitutes a powerful, beautifully crafted tribute to the Ukrainian lyrical folk song tradition and its overriding female dimensions: a rich sampling that underlines the plight of the woman in village society in a most eloquent way. These are haunting, poignant and often gut-wrenching songs nipped out of their Old Country setting and universalized. This is accomplished in many ways.

Especially stunning, for example, is the ensemble's interweaving of lyrics in three languages (Ukrainian, English and Spanish), as shown in its interpretation of such chestnuts as "Oi z-za Hory Kamianoyi" and "Oi u Lisi." Another oldie, "Oi u Poli Mohyla," gets special treatment and is performed three times as three separate pieces in three different ways.

Equally effective are the supporting accompaniment and interludes provided in various combinations by bandura, percussion, viola, violin, guitar and overtone vocals. (Culture vultures will recognize the input of Julian Kytasty, our bandurist extraordinaire.)

"Fragmenty" includes 17 musical items performed by the Paris to Kyiv Ensemble. Released by Olesia Records (P.O. Box 2877, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3C 4B4), the single compact disc comes with a 12-page booklet mostly in English, including introductory remarks by Marcia Ostashewski, song texts (in Ukrainian), interpretive notes and art-design by Ron Sawchuk.

This is perhaps the most stylish Ukrainian compact disc ever produced, and kudos are deserved by all members of the team that worked to realize this project. According to one of the annotations printed in the booklet, "Time passes, the theme evolves, final sleep becomes a new consciousness and the journey continues" - a super metaphor for this latest CD from the Paris to Kyiv Ensemble.

The CD is available at olesia.com.

Robert B. Klymasz, Ph.D., is curator emeritus with the Canadian Museum of Civilization in Gatineau, Quebec.

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