SACRED CHANTS AND SONGS OF UKRAINE

It is with deep sadness that we announce the death on 13 May of Bohdan Antkiv, Artistic Director of the State Academic Male Capella Revutsky, and founder of The Boyan Ensemble of Kiev.

Many people in the UK will remember him as a truly outstanding choral conductor and charismatic Supremo of an Ensemble that has brought much spiritual and artistic enrichment to a wide public. His programmes, focusing on the splendour and mystery of Orthodox Chant alongside the vibrancy of Ukrainian folk songs, have given British audiences a great insight into the Ukrainian soul.

His legacy lives on through the talented conductors and singers that carry on his work and we look forward to welcoming them when they return for their annual UK tour on November 1st.

Since 1992 music lovers have been enthralled by the singing of the Boyan Ensemble, whose 18th consecutive tour of the UK starts in Brighton on 1 November with 24 concerts scheduled nationwide.

Last year’s financial crisis did, indeed, affect audience numbers everywhere, though thankfully the effects were not as damaging as feared. Music is a powerful, healing force; it will not increase your bank account, but many feel that the comfort and spiritual inspiration it bestows is a worthy investment.

This year’s concert programme will continue along the lines established under the artistic direction of Bohdan Antkiv, with the splendour of Eastern Orthodox chants in the first half and an exciting mix of Ukrainian folk songs in the second.

The Boyan Ensemble is a fully professional choir, it’s sound is magnificent: deepest bass (perhaps only the Slavs can produce such voices) blending seamlessly with baritone and tenor. In many of the works a single lyric soprano voice soars above the smooth tones of the men, adding a unique quality that distinguishes this choir from all others.

Conductors: Yuriy and Volodymyr Kuratch
Soloists: Valentina Ivanenko

V. Mitryayev, countertenor; V. Polianskyi, V. Shuliak, P. Skorohod, tenors
S. Kudryavtcev, baritone
V. Pudchenko; I. Gembach basses

Impressive reviews have followed the Ensemble's performances and standing ovations are the norm:

"The standard of musicianship is breathtaking"

"I have never heard... such soft control, such delicate high singing, such intense precision of harmony..."

"The most alive pianissimos, breathtakingly brilliant fortes... perfect intonation coupled with an apparently seamless legato"

"The singing... displayed perfectly balanced chords, impeccable tuning, pure melodic lines, precision of attack and beautifully shaded dynamic changes"