Concert of Ukrainian liturgical music to feature Szkafarowsky

by Maria Kulczycky

CHICAGO - A gala Centennial Concert of liturgical music is scheduled for October 8 at St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral. The concert is one of many events marking the centennial of the parish that was the first institution founded by Chicago's vibrant Ukrainian Village community.

Metropolitan Opera bass Stefan Szkafarowsky heads a cast of musicians that includes six Ukrainian choruses and a symphony orchestra in the towering edifice at Oakley Boulevard and Rice Street recognized for its formidable acoustics.-"Ukrainian liturgical music is highly regarded by experts familiar with it. This is an opportunity for the wider public to explore the majesty and mystery of this revered tradition in sacred music," said Michael Holian, emeritus professor of music at Wilbur Wright College and chair of the concert organizing committee.

Among the works included in the program are canonical compositions of the genre, including Kyrylo Stetsenko's "Let My Soul Bless the Lord," Dmytro Bortniansky's "Blessed Is the Man Who Fears the Lord," Semen Hulak-Artemovsky's "O Ruler of the Skies and Earth," and Mykola Lysenko's "Whither Shall I Go from Thy Spirit?"

Mr. Szkafarowsky, known for the quality of his voice as well as his impeccable technique, has sung at the Metropolitan Opera of New York and the Lyric Opera of Chicago, and has appeared as featured soloist with many North American symphony orchestras.

Also on the program are the St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral Choir, conducted by Wolodymyr Duda; the St. Andrew and St. Volodymyr Ukrainian Orthodox Church choirs, conducted by Taras Rudenko; the Ss. Volodymyr and Olha Choir, conducted by Olena Novyk; Surma Choir, conducted by Zeonid Modrytzkyj; and SUMA choir, conducted by Wolodymyr Popowycz.

In addition to being known for its admirable acoustics, St. Nicholas Cathedral is recognized as an architectural gem in the Byzantine tradition. Hearing this serene, gorgeously harmonized music in its natural setting, performed by musicians steeped in the tradition is a rare opportunity. With 25 to 30 members in each chorus and a 12-person orchestra, the concert concludes with a finale performed by all 200-plus performers.

Tickets for the concert are available at St. Nicholas rectory, 773-276-4537. The pre-sale ticket donation is $10; $15 at the door. The concert begins at 2 p.m.

Copyright © The Ukrainian Weekly, September 17, 2006, No. 38, Vol. LXXIV

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