Winter Whispers: Ukrainian Piano Tales
Violina Petrychenko (piano)
rec. 2023, Kulturzentrum Imanuel, Wuppertal, Germany
Ars Produktion ARS38366 SACD [76]

This is Ukrainian pianist Violina Petrychenko’s sixth disc to shine a light on Ukrainian composers, most of them little known. She also programmed a piece by Vítĕzslav Novák, perhaps because of his tutelage of Vasyl Barvinski. All these works are connected with winter, a serious affair in Ukraine with a profound influence on life during its long stay. The feelings of acute concern and love of the country come through in Petrychenko’s playing. Very emotional, it gives an extra frisson to this collection. All the pieces are very beautiful and charming, with a light touch, and they incorporate folkloric melodies.

Vasyl Barvinsky’s Lullaby is a particular favourite. Its deceptively simple tune pulls very hard on the heart strings. There is something in the nature of the makeup of these folk-based tunes that touches my soul. Doubtless it is my affinity with that part of the world. My father and grandparents came from just across the border not fifty miles from Chernobyl. All these pieces have the same roots, and so draw out the same emotional response.

Another favourite is Novák’s cycle Songs of a Winter’s Night, divided into three, each a wonderfully delicate piece, fine as a piece of intricate lace. Rounding off a superb and thoroughly enjoyable recital is another absolute gem: Serge Yushkevich’s Carol of the Bells.

It seems almost churlish to pick out any individual piece. Leaving the others without comment seems unfair but sometimes it is best to leave the music to do the talking. Over-scrutinising such delicate works risks detracting from their natural beauty.

The pianist’s love for these tunes seems self-evident. Her light and gentle touch brings out the indisputably glorious melodies. Discs like these tap into one’s mood so readily that they are hard not to have on repeat. The pieces may be simple, but the more frequently one listens, the more rewarding they become. I cannot fault this disc. I wholeheartedly recommend it to all lovers of simple, gentle tunes that express our common humanity through the most expressive of all methods of communication.

Steve Arloff

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Contents:

Mykola Silvansky (1916-1985)
Night by the River in G minor*
Vasyl Barvinsky (1888-1963)
Song in G minor*
Kolyadki: Ukrainian Christmas Carols*
Lullaby in E minor* from ‘Ukrainian Suite’
Vítĕzslav Novák (1870-1949)
Songs of a Winter’s Night, Op 30
Valentin Silvestrov (b. 1937)
Five Melodies for the New Year*
Fairy Tale in C minor from the cycle ‘Naïve Music’
Mykola Dremlyuga (1917-1998)
Preludes from the cycle ‘Winter’*
Vesnyanka from the ‘Spring Suite’*
Serge Yushkevich (b. 1953)
Carol of the Bells in F-sharp minor

* world première recordings