NUMBER 64 APRIL 2008 626 BATHURST ST. TORONTO, ON ISSN-0703-9999 ENSEMBLE CELEBRATES CULTURAL DIVERSITY with a Musical Journey from Ukraine to Canada Join the Shevchenko Musical Ensemble while the vineyards of France bring songs of love on Sunday, May 25 for a Musical Journey and nature. Up to Ireland before heading across from Ukraine to Canada – a world tour the sea to Canada’s great prairies where the set- that will take you from Ukraine, the land tlers on the homesteads go to the barn dance! of the Ensemble’s namesake, through Finally back to the Ensemble’s Ukrainian many of the world’s diverse musical tradi- roots for a rousing fi nale of song, music and tions that have contributed so much to the dance – Hopak! Canadian tapestry. A Musical Journey from Ukraine to Canada features the Shevchenko Choir, Toronto Mandolin Orchestra and Kaniv Dancers – joined by the Desna Ukrainian Don’t miss this wonderful Dance Company of Toronto. The journey cultural event begins in the foothills of the Carpathian Get your tickets early! Mountains and fertile fi elds of Ukraine with songs and dances famous for their energy and passion. On to the vast steppes of Russia and a Musical Journey from selection of traditional songs, music and Ukraine to Canada dance. Southward to Armenia where a young man laments the loss of his dark- eyed love. ANNUAL CONCERT From the Czech Republic and Hungary, Shevchenko Musical Ensemble with great world composers Anton Dvorâk and Franz Lizst are featured in several familiar Kaniv Dancers and choral and orchestral selections. Desna Ukrainian Dance Company Next is sunny Greece with the overture to the folk opera Angels’ Quarters by Mi- Sunday, May 25, 2008 kis Theodorakis, then over the mountains to Macedonia with an orchestral medley of familiar folk tunes. Across the Aegean where choir and tenor soloist bring an operatic taste of Italy See back page for complete details to the audience. Spain brings us the pas- sionate Bolero and a Ladino Jewish song, Toronto Mandolin Orchestra performs in Glenn Gould Studio Encouraged by the success of its 50th Herman Rombouts, both favourites As with any orchestra or perform- Anniversary concert in Glenn Gould with Ensemble audiences, received ing group some selections are often re- Studio in 2006, the Toronto Mandolin thunderous applause. peated on concert programs. However, Orchestra, under the Artistic Direction A new addition to the roster of Alexander Veprinsky is always ready of Alexander Veprinsky, returned to vocal soloists, Artour Razgoev, per- to accept a new challenge such as the the CBC Broadcasting Centre with a formed very well in two popular Italian Rodrigo concerto which helps to raise new and exciting program on Sunday, songs and was very warmly received. the performance level of the musicians. November 18, 2007. A highlight of the program was the This has been the goal of conduc- A new roster of soloists, both performance by classical guitarist Jeff tor Veprinsky since his introduction instrumental and vocal, joined the Cardey of Concierto de Aranjuez by J. to the orchestra. Fine examples of this orchestra in a diverse program of folk Rodrigo. This beautiful, yet at times are his arrangements of Peter and the and classical music. mournful, composition was performed Wolf, the Bizet-Shchedrin Carmen Ira Erokhina, the orchestra’s resi- to perfection by this young musician Suite, George Gershwin’s Rhapsody in dent soloist and exceptional master of who, with eyes closed throughout the Blue for solo domra and orchestra. And the 3-string domra wowed the audience piece, wrapped himself in the passion this was true of the 50th Anniversary with Budashkin’s Concerto for Domra of the music. The audience, affected by program of the TMO where the great- and Hungarian Rhapsody Nº 2 by F. this display of passion, rose in a stand- est challenge for the musicians was Liszt. ing ovation, one of three received by the to perform Shostakovich’s Burlesque Soprano Helen Spiers and bass soloists and orchestra that afternoon. from his Violin Concerto Nº 1 arranged for solo domra and orchestra. They say an orchestra is as good as each musician in the group. Although members of the Toronto Mandolin Or- chestra are very proud of their achieve- ments, they also acknowledge that it is the talent, confidence, hard work and inspiration of the artistic leadership which helps make each performance an unqualified success.

Ira Erokhina, 3-string domra Jeff Cardey, classical guitar

Toronto Mandolin Orchestra in Glenn Gould Studio • Alexander Veprinsky, Artistic Director/Conductor 2 Banquet honours Edna Rigby and marks 35th Anniverary of Shevchenko Guild

Those attending the Annual Banquet on October 28 at the King’s Garden Banquet Hall, came not only to share a delicious meal among friends, but to honour Edna Rigby for her role as Guild President from 2000 until February 2007 and for all that she ac- complished in those years of volunteer service. For Edna the Shevchenko Ensem- ble was a reflection of her childhood when she was introduced by her par- ents to the activities of the Association of United Ukrainian Canadians. These ties to her inherited culture remained with her in adulthood as she completed two years of Teachers’ Natasha Sawchuk welcomes banquet guests College and began a career in teach- ing. After a number of years she left with a welcoming toast by Emcee Na- teaching and joined the Ontario Public tasha Sawchuk, was not all serious talk. Service. It was here that Edna’s out- Congratulatory greetings were received standing qualifications and capabilities from Edna’s daughter and son, both blossomed. resident in the US and unable to attend In the main tribute, made by the event. Ginger Kautto, Edna was thanked for A delicious and very substantial her capable leadership devoted to the Ukrainian meal was followed by lively wellbeing of the Shevchenko Musical entertainment provided by Cedar and Ensemble, for her outstanding contri- Spruce, the acoustic quartet of mando- bution as President and for all the in- lin and guitars, led by Jeff Cardey. novative ideas she brought to the Guild The evening ended with the raffle which helped make significant changes of the “Seated Nude” statue created to the face of the organization. and donated by Joe Rosenthal and the Grand Final Draw of the Guild’s 1000 The banquet also marked the 35th Edna Rigby graciously thanks the audience Anniversary of the National Shevchen- Club Lottery. (See page 10 for list of ko Musical Ensemble Guild of Canada winners). which was incorporated in 1972. Bill Morris, who served as Presi- dent for 27 of those years, related some of the memorable highlights of 35 years of fun, sweat, worries and great friendships. In conclusion he said: “A book can be written – and indeed one should be written – on the history of this unique organization, the first Guild of its kind in the Ukrainian community. Such a book would be about people, because the story of the Guild is the story of people and their dedication to the Guild and Shevchenko Ensemble.” The evening, which was opened Ginger Kautto, winner of the “Seated Nude” President Florenz Seychuk conducts the draw 3 Ukrainian-French choral collaboration Another smash hit for the Shevchenko Musical Ensemble by PHILIP JOSEPH presented in an endearing manner with Mandolin Orchestra. I wanted to hear It amazes me that concerts put on by Gabriel as the competent accompanist. more of them. the Ensemble at Columbus Centre do Another newcomer to the concert A group of Kaniv Dancers pre- not crowd the audience to its doors. was the Arkan Ukrainian Dance En- sented a Russian dance, impeccably For a modest price, the Shevchenko semble. All the girls seemed uncanny choreographed by A. Pendik and Choir puts on a show that cannot be pretty and the men magnificently ath- performed with grace and under- duplicated elsewhere in Toronto for letic. Their jumps and leaps to impress standing of the music. The dresses of its quality and depth. Ruth Budd did their girl partners impressed the audi- the women were splendid and their an immaculate job in introducing the ence as well if the applause was any- headgear in Napolean-like silhouettes program and gave each piece under- thing to go by. I was especially taken simply gorgeous. standing and depth. with their Hopak with its rhythms, The combined choirs – the The choir sang its heart out under grace and unsurpassed energy. Shevchenko Choir and Les Voix du the direction of Alexander Veprinsky, From the Shevchenko School of Coeur concluded the show with a resident musical director, who has mu- Music came a mandolin duet with magnificent and full-throated rendering sic pouring out of him from fingertips Eliza Rennick and Eugene Jaciw. The of For the Beauty of the Earth. Bravo! to toes. The selections varied from the two young peoeple played astonish- This was a finale that should bring out pretty traditional Ukrainian folk songs ingly well and their appearance bodes the crowds to the next concert of the to the ambitious yet skillfully executed well for youth entering the Toronto Shevchenko Musical Ensemble. Ave Maria. Herman Rombouts was his usual magnificent self as he sang a Russian folk song that celebrated a Cossack rebellion against the Tsar – although why a man had to throw his wife into the Volga to prove his leadership is beyond me. Tetyana Shkymba, Helen Spiers and Victoria Kovaliuk all gave their best but the acoustics of the auditorium were not kind to them. Artour Razgoev gave a sweet, solemn rendering of Dark-eyed Maiden although his up- per register needs more depth. As the soloist in Dnieper Roars, John Nieboer successfully evinced the roars and Photography by Wayne Gilbert Shevchenko Choir (SME) • Alexander Veprinsky, conductor cries of this great river that has seen so much of Soviet death. Accompanist Elena Zviagina provided powerful sup- port to the singers when needed. The French Choir, Les Voix du Coeur, made its first appearance as guests at an Ensemble concert. The choir is under the direction of Manon Coté, a tall willowy woman whose body language was in perfect synchro- nization with the songs she con- ducted. Dare I say it, but she rivaled Veprinsky’s mastership of letting the hands draw out the music. A variety of pleasant and jolly tunes and the haunt- ing Gratitude to Mother Earth was Les Voix du Coeur French Choir • Manon Coté, conductor 4 TMO and Peter Soave in Hamilton A very unusual and interesting con- cert, sponsored by Richard Szymczyk of Accordions Exclusively (a Burling- ton company importing Excelsior ac- cordions from Italy) and the Shevchen- ko Guild, was held on Sunday, April 6 in the Scottish Rite Cathedral in Hamilton. The concert was presented by the Toronto Mandolin Orchestra with resi- dent soloist Ira Erokhina on domra and vocal soloists Helen Spiers, Herman Rombouts and Artour Razgoev. What made the concert unusual was the guest artist, Peter Soave– brought all the way from Lyon, France courtesy of Walter Morris. Peter Soave, an American of Italian descent now resident in Lyon, is ”un- Helen Spiers, soprano doubtedly the best accordion player in the history of America”. At the age of 16 when Peter began entering inter- national accordion competitions, he Peter Soave on chromatic accordion (bayan) discovered that the chromatic button accordion, or bayan, was superior to the piano accordion and began inten- sive study on that instrument. Inspired by the music of Argentinean composer Astor Piazzolla, Soave also began to include the characteristic tango ac- cordion, the bandoneon, in his perfor- mances. Soave tours extensively in Europe and the United States, appearing with symphonies and philharmonic orches- tras, as well as at jazz festivals. He Artour Razgoev, tenor performed as the featured bandoneonist for the only North American appear- ance of the Three Tenors (Pavarotti, Domingo and Carrerras) in 1993. He is the recipient of many perfor- mance and recording awards. The first half of the concert was opened by the TMO, including the amazing performance on domra by Ira Erokhina of Liszt’s Hungarian Rhapso- dy Nº 2. Soprano Helen Spiers singing Elegy by Dvorâk and Herman Rom- bouts in the Russian Folk Song Along Piterskaya Road were well received by the audience. Peter Soave began his performance see Hamilton on page 6 Peter Soave on bandoneon Herman Rombouts, bass 5 HAMILTON from page 5 to world class artist Peter Soave for with Caccini’s Ave Maria, his bayan his memorable appearance with the In Fond Memory an organ in disguise. The selections orchestra. They also thank Richard Szymczyk for his efforts in organizing were performed with great feeling and The National Shevchenko passion by this outstanding musician the concert, for his generous sponsor- for which he received resounding ap- ship of a warm lunch for performers Musical Ensemble Guild plause. He ended the first set with the and volunteers, and for the concert of Canada 3rd Movement of Chaikin’s Concerto reception which brought an end to a gratefully acknowledges for Bayan with the Toronto Mandolin day of unforgettable experiences for contributions in memory Orchestra. the musicians and audience alike. of the following: The TMO set a lively tone after  intermission with the overture to Rossini’s opera The Barber of Seville William Hosso followed by Herman Rombouts sing- 2007 ing La Calunnia from the same opera. Peter Soave joined the orchestra Olga Hrynchak once again to perform Oblivion by the 2007 contemporary Argentinean composer, Astor Piazzolla. His second set of se- Walter Snider lections once again displayed, not only 2007 his mastery of the instrument, but his passion for music and the accordion, Michael Tomas or bayan, itself. 2007 The TMO and soloist Ira Erokhina were warmly applauded for the per- Peter Soroka formance of the Cuban folk song La 2008 Paloma, as well as their performance with tenor Artour Razgoev in two Chuck Weir popular Italian songs, Dicitencello 2008 Vuie and Non Ti Scordar di Me, and Helen Spiers with You’ll Never Walk Tyrus Reiman Alone from Carousel. 2008 To bring this outstanding program to an end the TMO performed the Marie Barko lively Russian folk song Pedlars to the 2008 great delight of the audience. Photography by Wayne Gilbert Ira Erokhina, domra soloist Although the concert was long, Nevenka Lazaroff the audience was brought to their feet 2008 with the final bow of Peter Soave, Ira Erokhina, the vocal soloists, conductor William Kuinka Alexander Veprinsky and the orchestra. 2008 And this called for an encore – Shostakovich’s Waltz from his Jazz Suite – in which Soave joined the Toronto Mandolin Orchestra. Richard Szymczyk, in the role of Emcee, extended sincere thanks to Walter Morris for his sponsorship of travel for the artist, and to Hamilton Councilor and radio host Bob Bratina for his interview with the artist and his promotion on air of this unique concert. The TMO and the Shevchenko Guild extend their sincere thanks Peter Soave and Ira Erokhina Peter Soave and Mary Kuzyk, Concertmaster 6 A special event to honour a senior activist

The Shevchenko Guild, last February piece of his art for their collection. The Shevchenko Guild wishes John 24, held a very special event at the Part of this memorable day was many more creative and productive Ukrainian Cultural Centre in Toronto. a silent auction of five watercolours years, both at the easel and with his Seventy-five people gathered for a donated by John. They were quickly speeches to political conferences, and slide show of some 100 sketches and snatched up, bringing a total of his presentations to senior club meet- paintings by John Boyd. $660.00 to the Guild. ings on the Ukrainian language, jokes John is widely known in the Ukrai- Lorna Clark acted as Emcee for the and many other interesting items. nian and progressive community for afternoon and Guild President Florenz Above all else John is wished his many years as cultural and political Seychuk introduced John and spoke continuing good health in the years to activist, editor of left wing publica- briefly about his artistic life. come. tions and trade journals. The day was concluded by honour- Not many knew of his other talent, ing John Boyd on his 95th birthday however, until a few years ago when which he celebrated just the month be- he held his first exhibit and sale of his fore! The symbolic birthday cake was paintings and, shortly after, followed brought out as the audience wished with another show. him well by singing the tradtional Because of his demanding career as birthday tune. an actvitst and journalist, John was not able to seriously concentrate on his art until he was in his 50s. In 1968 he had the opportunity of living and working in Prague as editor of an international publication. This afforded him the leisure time he never experienced in Canada and he began to attend art classes. Upon his return home he con- tinued classes and although he experi- mented with a number of media, most of his paintings are watercolour. The photos of John’s work were taken by Wayne Gilbert before the paintings were sold at the exhibits. They now serve as a legacy of one Lorna Clark, MC for the afternoon. aspect of John’s great creativity. The afternoon was broken into two parts with a showing of 50 slides followed by a pot luck luncheon. This John Boyd at 95th birthday party. consisted of a variety of delicious dishes prepared by members of the Ensemble and Guild, among them hundeds of pyrohy (perogies) made by Lorna Clark. After lunch the second set of some 50 slides were shown. The entire audi- ence sat in awe of this display of ex- ceptional art. As the pictures appeared on the screen the audience was given the title and to whom the painting now belongs. They were delighted to hear that John is planning another show this Photography by Wayne Gilbert September 12, 13 and 14 which will Florenz Seychuk and John display the paint- He huffed and he puffed…and he blew the give them an opportunity to acquire a ing she won in the silent auction. candle out. 7 John Nieboer bids farewell to the opera Some 20 years after the formation of John was also a member of the the Shevchenko Male Chorus in 1951, chorus of the Canadian Opera Com- the quality of singing and level of pany and after more than 30 years of performance under the talented leader- singing and touring he retired from the ship of Eugene Dolny had reached company last season. near professional status. Concerts and Although John grew up in the coun- appearances were numerous and more try, his parents wanted music to be a demanding. To assist with this growth, part of his life and that of his siblings, singers who were making their living his father driving them into Lethbridge in the field were brought in to bolster every week for piano lessons. each section and to perform as soloists John continued his music education with the Chorus. in a serious way, graduating with a One of those professional voices bachelor of music from the University was baritone John Nieboer. of Alberta in 1960. He later studied with Bernard Diamant in Montreal and in 1974 came to Toronto where he auditioned for the COC. In his career wth the opera John In the Shevchenko Choir of the not only experienced many exciting Shevchenko Musical Ensemble, John performances, but continued to learn is a great asset, not only because of his about music and the voice from each fine voice, but because of his knowl- chorus master with whom he had the edge of music theory. He often assists honour of working. in his section at rehearsals when he He was part of some spectacular notices that an incorrect chord is evi- productions back in the ’70s with dent or a wrong interval sung. In the General Directors Geiger-Toral and past, when the Ensemble was under Lofti Mansouri and conductors like the direction of Andrew Markow, he Heinrich Bender. He sang with such helped out by taking sectional rehears- persons as Grace Bumbry and Joan als on occasion. Sutherland. The company did alot of John had the opportunity of per- touring in Canada and in the United forming in many prestigious halls with States. An exciting experience for John the Shevchenko Ensemble, and of was taking Louis Riel to the Kennedy touring to many parts of Ontario when Centre in Washington, D.C. dates did not conflict with his COC John was with the company through commitments. all the years in the Hummingbird John has been a soloist with the Centre where, he says, it “is like sing- Shevchenko Choir since he joined ing in a barn”. He has more recently and has acquired quite a repertoire of experienced the thrill of performing in Ukrainian and Russian songs. Toronto’s brand new opera house, the We salute John for his long and Four Seasons Centre for the Perform- successful career in opera and wish ing Arts, a result of the forward vision him well upon retirement. of the late Richard Bradshaw. However, he’s not retiring from the Beyond singing, John has a passion Shevchenko Choir. We hope he will for motorcycling, a desire to get out remain both as chorus member and so- into the country and experience nature. loist with Shevchenko and continue to He also loves gardening with wife share his knowledge and talents with Margriet and is said to be a gourmet us and our audiences for many more cook. He continues to teach voice and years to come. loves the challenge of helping to create a better sound. 8 Impressions of my travels Eight orchestras, six countries, and fans of the mandolin and domra everywhere… by TAMARA VOLSKAYA Abridged from an article written for the between I had a chance to play with called “stepmother” of the mandolin. Journal of the Balalaika and Domra amateur Russian folk and mandolin The number of mandolin orchestras in Association of America groups in countries as far apart as Israel Japan is estimated to be around 700 November 2006. • Toronto, Canada and Japan. - including high schools, colleges and The Toronto Mandolin Orchestra cel- Mandolin Festival in Beer-Sheva amateurs. The number of orchestras ebrated its 50th Anniversary in Glenn In July 2007 I was invited to par- in Tokyo and suburbs is about 230! Gould Studio… and what a celebration ticipate in the mandolin festival in Beer- Estimating that each orchestra or it was! Sheva, one of the oldest cities in Israel. ensemble consists of 30 members, a We dared to perform the famous I was overwhelmed by what I saw. It total mandolin population in Japan is Burlesque from Violin Concerto Nº1 was a big surprise to meet a very strong around 20,000. by Dmitri Shostakovich to mark the mandolin school in Beer-Sheva which These orchestras consist of the centennial of his birth…as well as has nurtured many now well established mandolin family (except the octave excerpts from Scheherazade Suite by N. mandolinists, among them laureates of tenor), guitars, flute, clarinet and Rimsky-Korsakov, masterly arranged national and international competitions. percussion. Members are amateur for domra and mandolin orchestra by They are all very active in an array of musicians and play only the round Alexander Veprinsky. What an achieve- performing styles, supported by strong back Italian style mandolin which was brought to Japan in 1901. ment! The music inspired me as well technical basics. They play baroque, I had the pleasure of working with as everyone in the orchestra. Maestro classical and contemporary music, and this orchestra twice, in 2004 and Veprinsky employed all of his talents at the same time improvize freely in 2007. We performed Introduction to make this project possible. And the folk music traditions, not only Israeli and Rondo Capriccioso by C. Saint- reward was remarkable! The audience but Balkan and Andalusian. Saens, Gypsy Airs by P. Sarasate and could hardly believe that the Toronto The festival was a remarkable Mandolin Orchestra, which consists Russian Dance by P. Tchaikovsky. The presentation by the Beer-Sheva Con- musicians are extremely responsible mostly of amateur but very devoted servatory mandolin school. I was happy musicians, could accomplish the tasks for every note they play. I was sur- to present domra solo recital concerts, prised to find my solo part written in presented by the repertoire. I enjoyed give master-classes and play as a soloist playing these great numbers immensely pencil above each musician’s part to with the municipal mandolin orchestra. help players follow the lead voice. as well as a very beautiful Ukrainian The concert in Jerusalem at Ticho Rhapsody by Levitskiy together with the The orchestras also play original Museum was a very special event. This compositions written for mandolin by Toronto Mandolin Orchestra. It was one famous, beautiful, acoustically perfect of the best events of my life! Japanese composers. hall was filled with an audience that had Overall this was a great musical Why back to November 2006? I never before heard a solo domra recital. year in which meetings were filled wanted to recall the whole year, as it Osaka and Tokyo, Japan with warmth and understanding was very special for me, starting with Work with the Osaka Arte Mando- because we were united by a common the memorable concert in Toronto linistico and Tokyo Plettro Mandolins love of music that brings us all and concluding in November 2007, of Japan was a very interesting and – American, Japanese, Russian, Israeli, Jewish, and Canadian – together. when I performed as soloist with the gratifying experience. Japan could be Washington Balalaika Orchestra. In see Impression on page 11

Plettro Mandolin Orchestra of Tokyo • Hiroshi Yamaguchi, Artistic Director and Conductor. 9 Letters… NEWLY ELECTED BOARD OF DIRECTORS Dear Maestro Veprinsky and National Shevchenko Musical Ensemble Guild of Canada Gifted Members of the Elected December 5, 2007 Toronto Mandolin Orchestra, Florenz Seychuk, President I wish to extend my heart- William Morris, Past President Ginger Kautto, Vice-President felt congratulations on your Myron Shatulsky, Vice-President Western Canada outstanding performance on Susie Kucer, Vice-President Quebec November 18th. Adele Paraschuk, Recording Secretary How fitting for you to have Virginia Stoymenoff, Treasurer selected Glenn Gould Studio Alexander Veprinsky, Artistic Director as your venue, as your pre- sentation was nothing short Resident Members: Provincial Members: Saskatchewan of brilliant. Lorna Clark Ontario Norman Sawchyn The program selections André Denton Rudy Wasylenky British Columbia were not only entertaining, Joe Dzatko Manitoba Natalia Denton but highlighted the amazing Natasha Sawchuk Janet Reisecker Mary Fedosenko capabilities and diversities of Eugene Szach Jerry Szach the intruments and those of the musicians. For those of us who have Congratulations! loved you for over 40 years, I wish to voice the sentiments Lucky 1000 Club Winners of my friends in the audience to the orchestra regarding in the Pedlars: you moved us to GRAND FINAL DRAW tears. Thank you. I would not Held October 28, 2007 • Licence Nº M538493 hesitate to fight the Argos, the $100 - No. 435 - Jean Dugale Raptors and Santa Claus, to attend another of your con- No. 666 - Mary Koziol certs. May you continue in No. 010 - Max Morris good health. No. 029 - Nina Pask Fondly, No. 378 - Terry Oraschuk Connie Prince $500 - No. 596 - Irene Hill $1,000 - No. 788 - David Warner Note from the Editor: On Novenber 18, the day of the The 2008 Lottery is now under way (Licence Nº M592243) concert by the TMO, the Toronto Ar- Check out the flyer and don’t miss out! gos played in the semi-finals for the Call your favourite sales volunteer or the Grey Cup, the Toronto Raptors had a game only blocks away, and the Ensemble office at 416-533-2725 Santa Claus parade came to town - all in downtown Toronto in close The BULLETIN proximity to Glenn Gould Studio. We wish to thank members of the Published semi-annually with the support of the City of Toronto through audience who fought their way Issued by the National Shevchenko Musical Ensemble Guild of Canada, a federally through some 50,000 people that incorporated charitable cultural institution, Reg. Nº 11905 1910 RR0001 day to hear the Toronto Mandolin 626 Bathurst Street, Toronto, ON M5S 2R1 • Phone 416-533-2725 • Fax 416-533-6348 Orchestra in concert. E-mail: [email protected] • www.shevchenkomusic.com • Editorial: Ginger Kautto Editorial Assistance: Byron Kautto • Photography: Wayne Gilbert of GPS Digital Photo Images

10 IMPRESSIONS from page 9 everywhere built without effort to Russia and Ukraine match the historical surroundings. Coming Events My 2007 travels extended into the My favourite street, Khreshchatik, is new year with a tour to Russia and full of cars parked on boulevards and Wednesday, June 4 Ukraine in early 2008. I was invited to young people drinking beer… It was CLUB 626 SENIORS take part in the 5th Festival of Russian hard to find simple Ukrainian food, VOLUNTEER AWARDS string instruments, Constellation of “vareniki” or perogis… LUNCHEON Masters, in Moscow. High quality new However, the Kiev M. Lysenko Honouring the Club’s Veterans balalaikas and domras were played Philharmonic is in perfect condition, of WW II behind the curtain while jury members the hall like a music box with dark red Canadiana Restaurant attentively listened to select the best. velvet chairs, columns around the front $25.00 person Every night there was a concert in the rows, and wonderful acoustics. The Call Olga Kowalchuk 416-267-3147 famous Gnessin Academy of Music. sight brought me back 40 years when We had a chance to listen to the world I performed there for the last time as Wednesday, August 13 famous Osipov Orchestra with its new a student of Kiev Conservatory and Rain date August 14 artistic director V. Ponkin, the leading my teachers O.B. Pazov, M.V. Shelest CLUB 626 SENIORS BAR-B-Q symphony and opera conductor in and M.M. Gelis were in the audience. At the home of Stan Nazarec Russia today. I had the pleasure of per- I was in tears by the vision of my late Call Olga Kowalchuk 416-267-3147 forming a solo recital with the great parents sitting in the third row, being for details 3-string domra virtuoso and composer both very nervous and proud at the Alexander Tsygankov. The concert same time. Sunday, November 16 was called “First Prize Winners of The audience this March came TORONTO MANDOLIN st the 1 All Russia Contest of Folk from all over Ukraine and even from ORCHESTRA Instruments” of 1972 in which Sasha Germany. Listeners brought flowers Concert • 2:00 pm and I shared the first prize. After 36 whispering their names because I Glenn Gould Studio years we played together again. It was could not recognize most of them. So 250 Front St. W. not a contest today, but instead an many years had passed… Call 416-533-2725 for information elevating musical experience for both of us. The October Palace amateur My visit to Kiev was emotionally orchestra in Kiev, where I played as a child, is still active and is the only A Letter to Board Member overwhelming: I met my former Virginia Stoymenoff classmates, my conservatory teachers, amateur folk instrument orchestra in friends and my dear sister Nadya. Ukraine still utilizing domras. The I just wanted to drop you a Kiev is still a great city but it is kobza, a Ukrainian folk instrument note on Sunday’s concert (TMO in very different from my memories of related to the domra, substituted the Glenn Gould Studio, Nov.18.07). it. There are a lot of super modern domra officially but not in reality. The BEST I’ve heard yet from the and super expensive stores, new The domra is still actively played in band. It was just excellent and what monuments, statues, new buildings schools and colleges all over Ukraine. a great balance between orches- tra numbers and soloists. I really enjoyed it. I also enjoyed your article regard- ing the Macedonian mandolin tradi- tions in Canada. Interesting about the “dark years” in your article. I often contemplate on whether or not human beings will ever get that we are all deserving of respect of one another, friendship and how to learn to embrace and celebrate our diffrences. Hopefully someday. Once again, excellent concert… Glen Midgley

Banjo Band of Toronto Tamara Volskaya with pianist Natalia Ammitsa in Kiev’s Philharmonic 11 ���������������������������������������� ����������������� ��������������������������������

with the SHEVCHENKO MUSICAL ENSEMBLE Alexander Veprinsky, Artistic Director

and guest artists DESNA UKRAINIAN DANCE COMPANY

Shevchenko Choir, Toronto Mandolin Orchestra and Kaniv Dancers in a program of folk and classical song, music and dance of Ukraine, Russia, Europe and Canada.

Sunday, May 25 ’08 • 2:00 $27 ($25 Sen/Stu/ $12 child) Leah Posluns Theatre Call 416-533-2725 4588 Bathurst St (N of Sheppard) VISA orders add $2 per ticket