Music of Ukraine-Kolessa & Skoryk

Here's a few rarities from Ukraine; whether it was British composers or esoterica, ASV was always one of my favorite labels! Enjoy

Kolessa writes flowingly and with a kindly Tchaikovskian grace (Third Suite). The 'pay-off' to the big tune of the first movement suggests (an unlikely) acquaintance with Vaughan Williams' Sixth Symphony. The second movement's allegro vivace has much in common with Korngold's care-free Robin Hood music (and indeed the symphony). Into this stream flows the tense expectancy of Beethoven 5 and 7 and some sunlit Delian moments (3.10). The Largo basks amid blue skies and cuckoo calls - an idyll of the heights - complete with horn solo in authentic 'warbling' style. This has a touch of Szymanowski's Harnasie about it. In the festive finale Kolessa celebrates with the best. Borodin is the model. I thought this symphony well worth while and something you will want to return to. Don't let the Soviet Realist movement titles distract you from enjoying a joyous piece of musicmaking. Let's have the Second Symphony now!

Skoryk's Hutsul Triptych is drawn from music for Paradzhanov's film 'Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors'. Panel 1 is swift, lively, folksy and of a type one can imagine Carmen Dragon taking up. Ivan and Marichka is a dream dance woven around the mystery of The Firebird and the Alan Hovhaness's simpler utterances. Ivan's Death has barbarous elements and strange sounds linking with the symphonies of Avet Terteryan.

The Carpathian Concerto has a folk 'skirl' comparable to a Scottish 'snap' and a yearning lyrical line typical of Constant Lambert in Summer's Last Will and Music for Orchestra. The cimbalom is cross-cut with the wildness of Grainger's Warriors. The woodwind are brilliantly active and a little dance suggests the opening and finale of Walter Piston's Symphony No. 2. The horns are splendidly blatant. As the Concerto closes the sentimental 'Highlands' theme is treated (none too gently) to the avant-garde process and the cimbalom puts in a welcome appearance.

Whether it is in the gorgeous (almost Hungarian) barbarity of Skoryk or radiance of Kolessa turn to this disc for reassurance that there are new and satisfying things that can be done with the orchestra. It delivers an excitement given to very few CDs.

Mykola Kolessa 

1. Sym No.1: First Movt: Orchards Blooming In The Carpathians (Allegro Moderato)

2. Sym No.1: Second Movt: Reminiscence Of Opryshki-Avengers Of The Populace (Allegro Vivace)

3. Sym No.1: Third Movt: On The High Meadow (Largo Ma Non Troppo)

4. Sym No.1: Fourth Movt: Festivity Of The Populace (Allegro Non Troppo)

Myroslav Skoryk 5. Hutsul Tryptich: I. Childhood

6. Hutsul Tryptich: II. Ivan And Marichka

7. Hutsul Tryptich: III. Ivan's Death

8. Carpathian Concerto

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