Ukrainian Ensemble of Classical Music with Bandura

Ensemble of Ukrainian Classical Music in the USA

Ukrainian String Sextet with Bandura and Flute

Ola Herasymenko – bandura, Olha Shevchyk – flute, Lesya Sokolovych – first violin, Alla Oleynik – second violin, Victoria Klyushnik – viola, Yuriy Klyushnik – cello.

OUR PROGRAM – НАША ПРОГРАМА

Ukrainian composers:

Classical composers:

1. N. Nyzhankivsky – Old Ukrainian Song - Старо-українська пісня
2. N. Nyzhankivsky – Kolomyjka - Коломийка
3. M. Skoryk – Album Leaf - Листок до альбому
4. Folk arrangement – Garland of Hutsul Melodies - Віночок гуцульських мелодій
5. Oksana Herasymenko – Mystery - Таїна
6. Oksana Herasymenko – On Wings of Dreams - На крилах мрій
7. Oksana Herasymenko – Dedication - Посвята
8. Oksana Herasymenko – Melody of Blue Sky - Мелодія голубого неба
9. Oksana Herasymenko – Sun Ray - Сонячний промінь
10. Oksana Herasymenko – Solo for Flute - Соло для флейти
11. Oksana Herasymenko – Confession - Сповідь
12. Oksana Herasymenko – Reminiscences - Спогади

14. J-S. Bach – Ave Maria -Bandurа and Flute
15. J-S. Bach – Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring
16. F. Schubert – Ave Maria
17. J. Pachelbel – Canon in D
18. W. Mozart – Night Serenade
19. A. Griboedov – Waltz
20. F. Schubert – Serenade
21. G. Sviridov – Waltz
22. M. Oginsky – Polonaize
23. D. Bortniansky – Concerto D Major - Д. Борнянський Концер Ре мажор

OUR PERFORMERS: Ola Herasymenko Oliynyk-bandurist, born in Lviv, Ukraine, is the first professional bandurist to have been featured as a soloist with American symphony orchestras. Together with her husband, composer and pianist Yuriy Oliynyk, she has performed Ukrainian music throughout North America. Her repertoire includes works of Bach, Handel, Vivaldi, and Bortniansky among others. Prior to settling in the United States, she performed in and directed a bandura trio that toured Europe and Japan. Mrs. Oliynyk received her Bachelor’s degree at the Lviv Lysenko Conservatory and her Master’s at the Tchaikovsky Conservatory in Kyiv. Her instrument was custom built by her father, Professor Vasyl Herasymenko. His concert banduras are highly sought by musicians in Ukraine and abroad.

Concert in Georgetown, October 12, 2003

Lesya Sokolovych, violinist, born in Drohobych, Ukraine. She graduated from the Musical college of her native city and was a member of the Opera and the Theatre Orchestra for 10 years. Toured Ukraine, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic. Member of the American River College Symphony and The Premier Youth Orchestra of Sacramento. Her performances include Sacramento and California at various festivals, and international events. She also performed with the trio of Ukrainian folk instruments in many California cities and also in Seattle, Washington. Sokolovych is a member of Ukrainian String Quartet, specializing in music of Ukrainian composers.

Alla Oleynik, violinist/violist born in Chernivtsi, Ukraine. She earned an AA degree with honor at Chernivtsi Music college and BA at Cal State University of Sacramento with honor, as a student of renowned violinist W. Barbini. She performed in Ukraine, Italy, Austria with Chernivtsi Symphony Orchestra as concertmaster. Presently she is a member of Slavic Symphony Orchestra and the Ukrainian String Sextet. Oleynik also played with the Premier Youth Orchestra, and with the orchestras of the Renaissance Fair, the Oregon House in Stockton, Auburn, etc. In Sacramento Oleynik teaches privately. She promotes Ukrainian culture at International events and festivals.

Concert in Georgetown - October 12, 2003

Concert in Georgetown, October 12, 2003

Victoria Klyushnik, violist and cellist, came to Sacramento from Dnipropetrovsk, Ukraine, after an active career in Ukraine. She graduated from Dnipropetrovsk Music College. Concertized with the Dnipropetrovsk Symphony Orchestra, the Theatre Orchestra, Chamber orchestra, and with many small groups. She performed in Ukraine and Russia. Now she is a member of the Russian Chamber Orchestra in the Bay Area and a member of the Ukrainian String Sextet, specializing in music of Ukrainian composers.

Marina Zhilovskaya – cellist was born in Chernivtrsi, Ukraine. She is a member of the Premier Youth Orchestra, and performed with the orchestra in many cities of California, as well as in Brazil. She comes from a musical family and her father is a choir conductor at the Slavic Church in Sacramento.

Olha Shevchyk, flutist, graduated from the Lviv Conservatory. She performed with the Drohobych Chamber Orchestra, which concertized in Ukraine, England, and other countries. Shevchyk is a winner of Ukrainian Musical Competition in 1986 in Dnipropetrovsk. She came to the USA in 1996 and is now an active member of the Ukrainian Heritage Club of Northern California. She performed with the Ukrainian trio in many California cities and in Seattle, Washington. Olha Shevchyk performs with the Ukrainian String Sextet, specializing in music of Ukrainian composers.

Yuriy Klyushnik, cellist, came to Sacramento from Dnipropetrovsk, Ukraine, after an active career in Ukraine. He graduated from Dnipropetrovsk Music College. Concertized with the Dnipropetrovsk Symphony Orchestra, the Theatre Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra, and with many small groups. He performed in Ukraine and Russia. Now he is a member of the Russian Chamber Orchestra in the Bay Area and a member of the Ukrainian String Sextet, specializing in music of Ukrainian composers.

Concert in Marriott Hotel on September 26, 2003

Our mailing address is:
5253 Glancy Drive
Carmichael, CA 95608-5458

E-mail address: bandura.ca@att.net
Fax: (916) 482-4706
Telephone: (916) 761-8392

CONCERTS

September 2003 - Medical Convention, Marriott Hotel, Sacramento October 2003 - 12 - Georgetown November 2003 - 16 - Sacramento with Oksana Herasymenko December 2003 - 20 - Christmas Concert, Sacramento

T h e   B a n d u r a     The Bandura is a unique Ukrainian musical instrument that dates back to the 7th century. Originally is was used for accompaniment of epic folk ballads and occasional folk dances. It became immensely popular between the 15th and 18th centuries when traveling musicians, called Kobzars, entertained in towns and villages of Ukraine, while singing about the exploits of the Kozaks (Ukrainian warriors). Over the years, the bandura acquired more and more strings and became a fully chromatic concert instrument with switches for changing tonalities.
    The Bandura is taught as a solo and ensemble instrument in all music schools and conservatories. During the Soviet-Russian occupation of Ukraine, the bandura fell into disfavor because it was the carrier of Ukrainian national history and culture, which according to the communist master plan was to be submerged into a single Russian mainstream.
    According to the memoirs of the famous Russian composers Dmitry Shostakovich, most of the bandurists in Ukraine were lured to an official congress of folk music in the mid. 30’s and subsequently shot and buried in a secret grave never to be heard of again. Some day, says Shostakovich, the people who were responsible for these evil deeds will be brought to account. The bandura survived the years of Russian domination in Ukraine only as a classical instrument upon which the works of Bach, Mozart, and other classical composers were performed. Since Ukraine regained its independence in 1991, the revival of the folk traditions with epic folk ballads is in progress and the bandura has regained its prominent place as a Ukrainian national instrument.
    Ola Herasymenko performs on an instrument custom built by her father Vasyl Herasymenko. It is equipped with 65 strings spanning almost 5 octaves.

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Last Updated: October 12, 2003