Album Notes

Shumka's 50 year tradition of creating original interpretations of traditional folk melodies began under the direction of Music Director Gene Zwozdesky.

Shumka continues to chart new musical courses with the commissioning of Yuri Shevchenko. Based in Kyiv, Yuri is acknowledged as on of the leading new talents in the Ukrainian classical and theatrical musical scene. Shevchenko studied at the Tchaikovsky Conservatory of Music in the Faculty of Music Composition. Upon completion of his studies, he was accepted into the Partnership of Composers of Ukraine and in 1991, was named Laureate of the Lesia Ukrainka Festival. In 1993 and 1994, he won coveted national prizes for Best Musical Composition for Theatre.

"My ambition was to make the different sections of the program all unique in style, technique and soul," says Yuri, " and at the same time, create a sense of unity."

Using digital audio technology, producer Michael Sulyma recorded the 52-piece Kiev City Symphony at the Dovzhenko File Studio in Kyiv, and mixed and editied the music at The Works Productions studio in Edmonton. The orchestra, specifically assembled to record the music for Shumka, included all the members of the Kyiv City Symphony supplemented by master players from the famed Virsky Ensemble.

"This experience will be left in my memory and in my heart for the rest of my life. I am thrilled that I am leaving part of my soul - my music - with Shumka." (Yuri Shevchenko)