Seven Ukrainian Folk Songs
Performed by Shelest Piano Duo (Piano duo)
“In March of 2022, my friend Evelyne Luest, a New York pianist, approached me with the idea of commissioning a two-piano piece based on Ukrainian folk tunes. As I researched the song and dance styles of various regions of Ukraine, I was particularly drawn to the soulful performances by Bereginya, a folk vocal ensemble from Tokarivka village in the Zhmerynka district. The songs I selected lent themselves wonderfully to the sonic possibilities of two pianos; in scoring and thematic development, I tried to preserve their energy and authentic simplicity. There are seven short movements, some brooding and lyrical, others cheerful and dance-like, that accelerate quite excitingly towards the end with the Chorna Khmara (Black Cloud), a Christmas carol.”