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Julian Kytasty is a third-generation bandurist. As a performer, recording artist, composer, and ensemble leader, he has redefined the possibilities of his instrument. His discography ranges from tributes to the bandura’s deep tradition (Songs of Truth) and collaborations with World Music artists to ventures into free improvisation (Duos London 2001 with Derek Bailey), innovative ensemble recordings with the Canadian group Paris to Kyiv and with his own Experimental Bandura Trio, electro-acoustic duets (Disturbance Fields with Kyiv composer Alla Zahaykevych) and his own solo instrumental music (Nights in Banduristan). He has created music for film and modern dance, and has worked for many years with New York’s Yara Arts Group on experimental theatre projects including Scythian Stones, Dark Night, Bright Stars, and Capt. John Smith Goes to Ukraine. His music for Yara’s “1917-2017” earned two New York Innovative Theatre Awards, for Best Original Score and Best Musical. In 2021, Julian Kytasty was awarded the title Honored Artist of Ukraine.
Performed by Julian Kytasty (Bandura)
Bandurist Julian Kytasty performed a series of solo preludes and interludes on the Kharkiv-style bandura. He stepped in for Duo SAS (Solomiya Moroz and Volodymyr Voyt), who were unable to travel to New York after the full-scale Russian invasion — under martial law Voyt, based in Kyiv, could not leave the country. The set opened with a video message from Volodymyr Voyt in Ukraine.
Performed by Julian Kytasty (Bandura), Anthony Coleman (Piano)
A set of improvised “conversations” for Kharkiv-style bandura and piano, performed by Julian Kytasty together with the avant-garde jazz pianist Anthony Coleman.
