Vesnivka Sways and Sings to “Dance & Romance”

By John Pidkowich

Vesnivka Choir’s spring concert “Dance & Romance” follows on the heels of last year’s highly successful concert of popular songs by Ivan Bohdan Vesolowskyj. This year’s sold-out final concert of the season performed on April 25 also marks the 45^th Anniversary of the Vesnivka Choir, founded by its Musical Director and Conductor Halyna Kvitka Kondracki. Vesnivka was joined by the Toronto Ukrainian Male Chamber Choir and both were accompanied instrumentally by Big Band Orpheus on centre stage surrounded by the elegant splendour of King’s Garden Hall in Toronto.

Under the dimmed lights of chandeliers, the Choir’s Daria Sharanewych welcomed the audience inviting them to reminisce about the past and join the Choir “on a sentimental journey to days of romantic waltzes and steamy, sensual tangos all composed by Vesolowskyj.” His wonderful melodies and the feeling of “dance” were punctuated by the rhythms and musical sounds of Big Band Orpheus. Vesnivka’s fine performance and choral rendition of Veselowskyj’s songs conveyed the sense of “romance” and set the tone for an afternoon of nostalgia in a club-like setting. Appealing to a broad array of musical tastes, delighted guests around tables were able to sit back, sip wine, sample hors d’oeuvres and enjoy the concert’s offering of music and fine entertainment.

Ivan Vesolowskyj, Canadian composer and pianist, was born in Vienna in 1915. He completed his law studies at L’viv University and studied at L’viv’s Lysenko Music Institute. He went on to graduate from the Academy of Diplomacy in Vienna and earned his Ph.D. in Economics at the University of Vienna. He immigrated to Canada in 1949 and eventually settled in Montreal to work for the CBC. Veselowskyj wrote the music, and to some the lyrics, to over 150 popular Ukrainian songs with almost 100 of them being recorded. Other lyricists to Vesolowskyj's music include Y. Klymowskyj, V. Kolodij, A. Krymskyj, Y. Masliak,   A. Miastkiwskyj, D. Mura, I. Patola, V. Sosiura, and M. Tkach.

In “Dance & Romance”, the Vesnivka Choir performed Willing to Love, Tango – Without Words, An Adventure, Lost Love, Young Love, Regrets, Your Dark Eyes, Blossoming Love, and Remember Me. Vesnivka was joined by TUMCC in Path to Love, Serenade, Sunflower, How Can I Not Love You?, Flirty Paraska, and Beautiful Marichka. Distinguished Toronto Baritone Alex Tyssiak performed Night with the combined choirs and all numbers were accompanied by Big Band Orpheus. The choral and orchestral arrangements are by Canadian composer Zenoby Lawryshyn and Viktor Stepurko.

In mid-concert, the audience indulged listening to a special guest performance was by no other than the great-sounding Big Band Orpheus. Under the direction of Miroslav Bileychuk, the 13-member band played Tears In Her Eyes, Mood Indigo, and All Things You Are.

Reminiscent of last year’s Vesnivka spring concert and its rave reviews, the choirs and band performed as an encore number Wesolowskyj’s popular fox-trot “Don’t Fool With Love” – Ty z liubovy sobi ne zhartuy. The high-kicking mood of this piece was an appropriate upbeat concert finale and celebratory send-off number for Vesnivka Choir in preparation of its 45^th Anniversary Tour in Portugal later in Summer 2010. Rehearsal piano accompaniment has been provided by Janna Routsinska.

The Vesnivka Choir and the Toronto Ukrainian Male Chamber Choir have also started work and rehearsal preparation for a Toronto fall concert in October dedicated to the 120^th Anniversary of Ukrainian Immigration to Canada. This concert will be performed together with special guest choir The Ukrainian Male Chorus of Edmonton.

Since the ensemble was established in 1965, an important part of Vesnivka Choir’s repertoire includes several songs performed in concert arranged by Canadian composers Z. Lawryshyn, L. Kuzmenko and E. Pip, among others. Vesnivka gratefully acknowledges the continued support from the Ontario and Toronto Arts Councils, the Shevchenko Foundation, Buduchnist, So-Use and Ukrainian Credit Union, Acuity Investment Funds, as well as other foundation and corporate supporters.

PHOTO

Vesnivka Choir and Toronto Ukrainian Male Chamber Choir with Big Band Orpheus