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.
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