Solemn Choral Recognition of Holodomor

By John Pidkowich

Counterpoint Chorale, under the artistic direction of William Woloschuk, on May 30 will perform choral repertoire of Ukrainian and other solemn and sacred music to remember the victims of the Holodomor Famine Genocide in Ukraine 1932-33. As the concert highlight piece, the Chorale will perform Mass for the Deceased – Requiem – by Gabriel Faure. The Requiem’s Kyrie, Offertory and Sanctus, sung in Latin with guest soloist Deanna Hendriks – soprano, Olenka Slywynska – mezzo-soprano, Taras Chmil – tenor and Alexander Hajek – baritone, will be accompanied by the Talisker Players, a professional chamber orchestra.

Counterpoint Chorale is dedicated to bringing classical choral music from Canada and from around the world to entertain and educate its audiences, offering “Global  Repertoire” – performing choral pieces from different cultures, eras and languages. Counterpoint is dedicated to highlighting Canadian talent – soloists in performances, vocal performance student internships and Canadian composer commissioned works.

In an interview, chorister and Concert Committee volunteer Valentina Kuryliw stated that Counterpoint’s commemoration of the Holodomor 75^th Anniversary has appeal  to Ukrainians and non-Ukrainians alike. Several choir members are of Ukrainian heritage.  The Choir’s Executive and Committee appreciated the gravity of the Holodomor and “after one rehearsal, most members stayed to watch the documentary film Harvest of Despair and understood the tragic lessons to be learned, not only by the members but by the Chorale’s loyal audience base of about 350 supporters”, said Kuryliw.

In partnership with and gratitude for rehearsal space provided by St. Vladimir Institute in Toronto, Counterpoint is returning something in-kind to the Ukrainian Community and show how the choir attempts to educate its audience. Before and after the performance, the audience will have the opportunity to view selected panels of the Holodomor: Genocide by Famine exhibit shown previously at the Toronto City Hall Rotunda.

The choral performance will be interspersed by Holodomor survivor Mykola Latyshko reciting a poem to his deceased mother’s and by Halia Dmytryshyn’s rendition of  “Through the Eyes of a Child”.

In addition to Requiem and to honour the lives lost in this tragic and historical event, which has been keenly felt by Counterpoint Chorale’s Artistic Director and many of the choir members of Ukrainian heritage, the choir shall be performing a diverse selection of choral pieces that offer a mood of respect and reflection. This includes the following works, some of which are Ukrainian in origin: Vladyka neba i zemli by Hulak-Artemovskyj; Agnus Dei by Samuel Barber; Movement II of Sergei Rachmaninov’s Vespers Blagoslovy dushe moju, Gospody; Crossing the Bar by Graeme Morton (conducted by Assistant Conductor Lesia Hrynash Deacon; and Concerto XXXII Skazhy my, Hospody, konchynu moju by Dmytro Bortianskyj.

Counterpoint Chorale has five years experience performing a range of choral repertoire with relevance to many of Toronto’s ethno-cultural communities. Of special interest is the Chorale’s community outreach and grounding. Counterpoint has entered into a collaborative mentorship with the Surrey Place Centre Symphonic Passion Chorus, where the Chorale has the pleasure and privilege to work with a choir of adults with developmental disabilities.

Sudbury native and Artistic Director William Woloschuk completed his graduate studies in choral conducting at the Faculty of Music, University of Toronto. Woloschuk had been the long-time Dean of Music for St. Sophia Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Montreal. He also studied under the tutelage of Maestro Volodymyr Kolesnyk of the Kyiv State Opera, Ukraine.

Counterpoint Chorale’s performance of Faure’s Requiem and other solemn music in commemoration of the 75^th Anniversary of the Holodomor Famine Genocide and remembrance of its victims will take place at St. George’s United Church, 35 Lytton Blvd. (Yonge St. north of Eglinton Ave.) on Friday, May 30 at 8 pm. Tickets are $20 in advance and available at St. Vladimir Institute (416-923-3318) and also at the door for $25.

Visit www.counterpointchorale.com