Vesnivka Concert Première
The Vesnivka Choir 2012-13 concert season begins with the première performance of two new choral works by Ukrainian Canadian composer Zenoby Lawryshyn. Set to the poems of Lesia Ukrainka, “Lament” is written for choir and cello with piano, and “Seven Strings” is written for choir, soprano soloist, two pianos and bandura. These works were especially commissioned by the Ukrainian Music Festival for this occasion of a tribute concert honouring the life and work of the late Marta Krawciw Barabash, pianist, teacher and founder of UMF, now in its 42ndyear and based in Toronto. The concert is co-presented by Vesnivka and UMF and takes place within the outstanding acoustical and intimate surroundings of the Glenn Gould Studio in Toronto.
Lawryshyn’s “Lament” and “Seven Strings” feature the Vesnivka, Toronto Ukrainian Male Chamber and Orion Choirs. This first performance also features internationally acclaimed Toronto cellist Roman Borys of the Gryphon Trio and soprano Antonina Ermolenko. Music accompaniment is provided by Olga Bileychuk and Olha Tsinkevych on the piano, and by Oksana Rodak and Borys Ostapienko on the bandura.
To add musical richness to the concert celebration of Marta Krawciw Barabash, the renowned piano duo of Luba and Ireneus Zuk are able to join the tribute, setting aside their own concert recital playing and busy teaching schedules in Montreal and Kingston, Ont.
The tribute concert’s broader programme appeal includes the unique opportunity for the audience to hear Alyssa Michalsky perform on the harp.
On this occasion opening the Vesnivka concert series, the Vesnivka Choir and TUMCC under the musical direction of conductor Kvitka Kondracki, welcome the Orion Men’s Choir, under the direction of Zhanna Zinchenko, in a joint concert performance.
The Glenn Gould Studio is located at the CBC Broadcast Centre, 250 Front St. W. in Toronto and the concert time is 3 pm. on Sunday, October 21. Tickets are $30 (seniors and students $25) and are available by calling 416-818-3164.