Vesnivka Debut at Toronto Christmas Market 2011

By John Pidkowich

A multicultural flavour was savoured around the central square stage at Toronto’s Historic Distillery District Christmas Market. A traditional centuries-old institution in many European centres at Christmas time, the 2011 Toronto Christmas Market’s return this season and sponsored by Lowe’s not only added European flair to the “Old World” charm of the Distillery District, but struck a favourable cord with the market crowd and appeal to a multicultural Toronto.

Nestled beside a magnificently decorated metres high Christmas Tree, under the watchful eye of the square’s four-faced Roman numeral period wrought-iron clock, performances on stage indulged audiences with a variety programme of children’s story-telling, Agranka Bulgarian and Academy of Ukrainian Dance and music, and good old fashioned Christmas carols by the Candy Cane Carollers.

Of note in its bid to reach out and appeal to a broader audience, the Vesnivka Choir made its market debut on December 11, 2011 under the direction of Kvitka Kondracki, with two performance times, featuring the Toronto Ukrainian Male Chamber Choir, and accordion accompaniment by Ron Cahute. Choir member Daria Sharanewych provided a warm greeting imbued with humour, and introductory remarks for the audience to get acquainted with Vesnivka, to sit back, relax and enjoy the mini-concert at the Market. Vesnivka performed classic sacred Ukrainian Christmas carols and shchedrivky, including a beautiful solo by Natalia Lysiak in Nebo yasni zirky vkryly, arranged by Kyrylo Stetsenko, and the choir’s captivating rendition of Mykola Leontovych’s “Shchedryk” or the familiar “Carol of the Bells”. Shchedrivky, more secular in nature, are sung traditionally just after Christmas. Some of these were robustly performed by the combined women’s and men’s choir: Rai rozvyvs’ya; Shchedrivochka shchedruvala; Melanka; and Oy chy ie, chy nema pan hospodar doma… all arranged for choir voices by Oleksander Stadnyk.

Toronto Christmas Market 2011 organizer Caren Campbell said that Vesnivka’s hard work put into preparing for its performances not only makes them happen, but makes them one of the highlights of the Market. “The performances were wonderful – I sincerely hope that I can convince [Vesnivka] to perform with us next year,” said Campbell.

A cultural institution in the Toronto Ukrainian community since 1965 and renowned internationally by touring, under the musical direction of founder Halyna Kvitka Kondracki, Vesnivka is one of Canada’s best known representatives of Ukrainian culture and premier Ukrainian Women’s Choir. The choir’s main goal is “to bring Ukrainian classical, contemporary, sacred and folk music to life”, but more recently the choir has taken upon the task to perform commissioned works to raise the profile of Ukrainian Canadian and Ukrainian composers.

A full concert of Ukrainian Christmas Carols and Shchedrivky will be performed by Vesnivka Choir with the Toronto Ukrainian Male Chamber Choir, featuring a folk instrumental music ensemble. An added special treat for children of all ages, including those already adults, will be the debut performance of the newly-created Toronto’s Dudaryk Boy’s Choir, under the direction of Yaroslav Hnatovsky. This annual Christmas concert event is on Sunday, January 8, 2012, at 3:30 pm, held at Islington United Church, 25 Burnhamthorpe Rd. in Etobicoke. An audience appreciation reception follows the concert. For tickets, call 416-246-9880 or 416-763-2197, and available at the door.

PHOTO

Vesnivka and Ukrainian Male Chamber choirs on Christmas Market Stage