Ola Herasymenko Oliynyk - Ukrainian Bandura in Concert.

The bandura, an ancient Ukrainian instrument, has finally been recorded in stereo, Dolby and "digital" by an artist from Lviv. A new concert bandura, played by Ola Herasymenko of Lviv, produces a gentle and intimate, yet clear and crips sound.

The other side of the cassette is devoted to Ukrainian songs. Here, Ms. Herasymenko sings as well as plays the bandura. The highlights include the patriotic "Родимий краю" (O, Native Country) by V. Matiuk, then there is "На Чорнобиль журавлi летiли" (The Cranes Flew to Chornobyl) by O. BIlash with words of D. Pavlychko, where the national tragedy is depicted in musical language. Also represented are literary texts that became folk songs in the course of the years: "Чого вода каламутна?" (Why is the Water Murky?) by Ivan Kotliarevsky and "Летить галка через балку" (The Daw Flies over the Meadow) by Taras Shevchenko. There are also humorous offerings "Чи я тобi не казала?" (Didn't I Tell You?), "Ой, летiла горлиця через сад" (The Dove Flew Over the Orchard) and others. The performer has a pleasant mezzo-soprano voice. Her singing is cultured, intelligent and honest - and therefore convincing. The program is well chosen in its variety. One discovers many nuances of interpetation on repeated listenings of the cassette. (by Roman Savycky, musicologist, Philadelphia, PA).

Ukrainian Bandura Trio "Lvivianky"

The cassette "Lvivianky" introduces a trio of bandursits. They are Chrystia Zalutska, Ola Voitovych, and Ola Herasymenko - all graduates of the Lysenko Conservatory in Lviv. They are also the winners of an All-Ukrainian competition. All three members perform on the above mentioned concert banduras by Vasyl Herasymenko. We must also point out that this time that some compositions in this recording were created by Volodymyr Ivasiuk and Yuriy Laniuk especially for this trio.

The cassette contains UKrainin music, as well as, classical compositions. Here we hear "Bezsmertnyk" by O. Zuyev (Words by M. Synhaivsky) - a symbolic song ending with a prophetic major chord. Next comes "Fantasia" by I. Marchenko - an inventive interlude for three banduras. Following are contemporary compositions "Maty Nasha" by Y. Laniuk (Words by B. Olijnyk) with interesting modulations, and the romantic "Shumyt Pshenytsia yak Dunaj" by the irreplaceable late master of popular music V. Ivasiuk (Words by S. Pushyk). The next melancholy song "Terny" by the contemporary composer from Lviv, Ivan Majchyk is performed without bandura accompaniment. The words by Lesya Ukrainka describe wilted flowers, but also bright sunshine.

Classical compositions are represented by a playful, graceful "Menuet" by Boccerini and the devout singing of "Ave Maria" by F. Schubert in Latin, which combines strictness with deep musical feelings. The enticing "Habanera" by X. White, on the other hand, brings us a contrasting brilliance of the bandura strings. Songs of the "Sitchovi Striltsi" and Ukrainian folk songs fill the other side of this cassette. Two of the songs are by the unsurpassed bard of the Ukrainian Legion Roman Kupcnhynksy. They are "Yak z Berezhan do Kadry" and "Zakvitchaly Diwchatonka" - two veritable pearls in the string of Western Ukrainian Song-Art. Nine Ukrainian folk songs constitute the balance of this cassette in a powerful processing. Here we find, chosen from an endless well of folk art, such songs as: "Oy, Tam na Hori", "V Kalynovim Lisi", "Oj Zatsvily Fialochky", and others. There is the ever popular "Stavok Zasnuv" adopted by Dmytro Kotko from a German song for choir by Hainrich Pfail (1835-1899). This dreamy song, translated to Ukraine from the outside, has thrived in Ukrainian surroundings and is always a welcome addition.

The tri "Lvivianky" displays even tempered, well matched voices. Their coordination is so perfect that one can listen over and over without loss of concentration. It is not by accident that the trio was showcased not only in Ukraine, but also Poland, Germany, Spain, the Philippines, Viet Nam and Japan. (by Roman Savycky, musicologist, Philadelphia, PA).

"The Strings of the Soil" by Oksana Herasymenko

The first part of her new recording explores the intimate chamber music atmnosphere of voice and strings in such compositions as "A Day Without You", lyrics by Olesia Babiy. "There Stands a High Mountain" features melanholy variations, and "Strong Winds" is a lament on lover's separation. In the latter instance one is tempted to compare Ms. Herasymenko - a prolific, gifted, melancholy songstress - to the legendary Marusia Churai.

The second part of the recording focuses on the bandura as solo instrument and as performed with flute, played by Kateryna Nemesh. Conceived independently of any folk influences, the abstract music conveys a wide range of feelings marked by an impressionistic mode; this is conveyed in such works as "Fall Dreams" and "On Wings of Daydreams".

All in all, the music on "Strings of the Soul" is of a lyrical persuasion, expressed in melancholy musings tinged with impressionism. This style relates somewhat to what of early 20th century composers of Lviv but with an added twist: gentle jazz harmony.

The performance, including duets with flute, are entirely convincing. This hearfelt effort can provide a relaxing pause at the end of a long day. It should be noted that the new, augmented concert bandura projects further that the old folk prototype. (Contemporary composer Yuriy Oliynyk has produced four concertos for just such an instrument with symphony orchestra. When professionally presented, the concert bandura can perform the music of many lands and eras - and thus can serve as an excellent public relations medium between Ukraine and the West. If music speaks all languages, why not communicate the best we have to offer to the rest of the world?