Peter Deriashnyj
Encyclopedia
Peter Deriashnyj, is a Ukrainian Australian
bandurist
, composer
of secular and sacred music, and choral conductor
. He specializes in the Kharkiv style
of bandura
playing, but also plays folk and rock guitar
.
Deriashnyj grew up in Newcastle N.S.W. and moved to Sydney to further his professional career and musical education. He studied music theory, composition and voice in Sydney and later became conductor of the Hnat Khotkevych Ukrainian Bandurist Ensemble
(1972–), the Boyan Ukrainian Choir (1982–1996), the Suzwittia Women's Ensemble (1986–1991), the Strathfield Orthodox Parish choir (1980–2007); and musical director and conductor of the Ivasiuk Folk Ensemble (1984–2000).
bandurist
Deriashnyj was born in Calden, Germany in 1946. He emigrated to Australia with his parents, Fedir and Maria and sister Lidia. In November 1950 they arrived in Melbourne on the passenger liner Goya initially living in migrant camps in Bonegilla and Nelson Bay before settling in Newcastle
, New South Wales. After completing his education in Newcastle he moved to Sydney in 1966 to pursue studies in electrical engineering at the Sydney Institute of Technology graduating in 1972,
also formal musical studies in classical guitar
, music theory, composition and voice.
At age 10, Deriashnyj began to learn to play the bandura
from his father, a known performer on and maker of banduras Fedir Deriashnyj. At age 17 he began to study guitar
. He and fellow musician, violinist and guitarist Victor Marshall formed a folk trio in Newcastle called the "Folk City Singers" firstly with Maria Pekovnic and later with alto voiced Helen Cummins from 1964 to 1966. Deriashnyj and Marshall then moved to Sydney to continue their folk singing careers and through advertising found opera trained contralto, Dorothy Window who also was experienced in folk singing. The trio worked to develop their vocal harmony, guitar and performing techniques from 1966 to 1968.
from Hryhory Bazhul who in the early 1930s in Ukraine had studied bandura under Hnat Khotkevych
. In 1969 he wrote his first composition for the bandura "Krai Kozachiy", followed by "Zaspivayu" to the words by Taras Shevchenko
, and "Slava Otamanu". He also began to write arrangements of traditional songs for the Kharkiv style bandura. He gave up guitar for bandura, and in 1971 he became the artistic director of a small group of young bandurist
s originally formed by Hryhory Bazhul, the Hnat Khotkevych Ukrainian Bandurist Ensemble
of Sydney. Under Deriashnyj's direction the group expanded in numbers and included choral vocals in their performances. Their first solo concert took place in 1969 in Wollongong, dedicated to the Ukrainian bard Taras Shevchenko. In 1971 he also formed the Sydney School of Bandura to introduce the younger generation to the art of this instrument. Students of the School of Bandura were able to learn both the Kharkiv style and the Chernihiv style but since Kharkiv banduras were difficult to procure and the more plentiful Chernihiv type banduras were being brought from Ukraine, gradually more students played the Chernihiv style.(Dr. V. Mishalow – verifiable by archival photographs) The Sydney School of Bandura was the only one in Australia to teach the Kharkiv style.(Dr. V. Mishalow).
From 1970 the Bandurist Ensemble toured the eastern states in Australia with concerts and performances and as a quartet performed in Perth, Hobart, Adelaide, Melbourne and Geelong. In 1978 the quartet recorded an LP entitled Bandura and Song. The members of the quartet were Neonila Babchenko-Deriashnyj (soprano), Lidia Deriashnyj-Beal (alto) and Peter Chochula (bass).
Under his direction it performed at the annual Ukrainian Independence Day celebration. In 1984 and 1985 Deriashnyj travelled overseas to study choral conducting in Edmonton
, Canada under maestro Wolodymyr Kolesnyk and Zenon Lawryshyn. On his return from Canada he founded a youth choir called the Ivasiuk Folk Ensemble.
By 1986 Deriashnyj became a significant cultural figure within the Ukrainian Diaspora in Sydney, as the artistic director of the Ukrainian Bandurist Ensemble, the Ivasiuk Folk Ensemble, the Boyan National Choir and the Suzwittia Women's Ensemble. He also conducted the church choir of the parish of the Holy Intercession in Strathfield, simultaneously.
Deriashnyj studied music theory, composition and the voice privately, under Daisy Hooker. Based on the aptitudes and experience gained as an altar boy, where he was exposed to sacred choral music of the Ukrainian Orthodox church, he acquired a love for Byzantine style "a cappella" choral singing and turned his skills to composing sacred works. His first composition "Christ is risen" (1981) was followed by "Bless the Lord, o my soul" (1983) Psalm 103, the first antiphon of the Orthodox liturgy. (Latter composition reviewed by composer Serhij Eremenko, Canada, August 1984.
In 1984, Deriashnyj prepared a concert in memory of Ukrainian songwriter Volodymyr Ivasyuk
who lost his life in suspicious circumstances. A standing ovation from the audience for what was a "moving concert" (quote A. Myrozhnik) confirmed it's appeal and the participants embarked on forming a new vocal ensemble in Sydney N.S.W. In 1985 he directed the Ivasiuk Folk Ensemble in rehearsals for a commemorative recording of Ivasiuk's compositions, which were adapted to a choral style performance with orchestral accompaniment.
After two years work, the combined Hnat Khotkevych Ukrainian Bandurist Ensemble of Sydney and the Ivasiuk Folk Ensemble gave concerts in Sydney and Melbourne where Deriashnyj's concept of choral-choreographic "montages" with pastoral themes (Harvest, Spring, Karpathia, Christmas, Vechornitsi) from Ukrainian village life were featured. The montages became their "signature" in performances at the annual Shell National Folkloric Festival
s held in the Sydney Opera House (1978–1990) and Ukrainian community venues.
In 1988 the ensembles and choirs under his direction celebrated the Millenium of Christianity in Ukraine with concert performances in Brisbane, Sydney, Newcastle and Wollongong, and Canberra. In 1992, he took leave of absence from these performing groups in order to concentrate on improving his Kharkiv style bandura technique and composition. In 1996 he again returned to direct the Ivasiuk Folk Ensemble working with this ensemble until 2000. He continued to direct at the parish of the Holy Intercession until 2007.
they were presented with an award for their contribution to the development of the Kobzar artistry in the diaspora (15, 16 November 2008).
In 2010, during the visit to Australia of His Eminence Dimitri, Metropolitan of Lviv and Sokal, they sang the high mass (arhiyereyska) in Brisbane and Newcastle Orthodox parishes. At the Divine Liturgy in Newcastle they were awarded a patriarchal citation for service to the Orthodox Church and the Ukrainian people by the Metropolitan on behalf of the His Holiness Filaret Patriarch of Kiev and all of Rus-Ukraine.
In 2010 they travelled to Canada to conduct and sing for the first Divine Liturgy for the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Kyivan Patriarchate, in the Parish of St. Peter and Paul in New Westminster and to perform in Canada's National Ukrainian Festival at Dauphin, Manitoba
, and in the Kiev Pavilion at the Folklorama
Festival in Winnipeg.
, John Denver
, Gary Shearston
and John Williamson
.
– Kiev/Chernihiv style.
Ukrainian Australian
The Ukrainians are an ethnic minority in Australia, numbering about 20,000 people, hence making up 0.16% of the total population. Currently, the main concentrations of Ukrainians are located in Melbourne and Sydney.- History :...
bandurist
Bandurist
A bandurist is a person who plays the Ukrainian plucked string instrument known as the bandura.-Types of performers:There are a number of different types of bandurist who differ in their paricular choice of instrument, the specific repertoire they play and manner in which they approach their...
, composer
Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
of secular and sacred music, and choral conductor
Conducting
Conducting is the art of directing a musical performance by way of visible gestures. The primary duties of the conductor are to unify performers, set the tempo, execute clear preparations and beats, and to listen critically and shape the sound of the ensemble...
. He specializes in the Kharkiv style
Kharkiv style
The Kharkiv Academic Style of Bandura Playing is a specific way of playing the Ukrainian folk instrument bandura.The instrument is held in a way that allows both hands equal access to all the strings...
of bandura
Bandura
Bandura refers to a Ukrainian plucked string folk instrument. It combines elements of a box zither and lute, as well as its lute-like predecessor, the kobza...
playing, but also plays folk and rock guitar
Guitar
The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
.
Deriashnyj grew up in Newcastle N.S.W. and moved to Sydney to further his professional career and musical education. He studied music theory, composition and voice in Sydney and later became conductor of the Hnat Khotkevych Ukrainian Bandurist Ensemble
Hnat Khotkevych Ukrainian Bandurist Ensemble
The Hnat Khotkevych Ukrainian Bandurist Ensemble is a vocal and instrumental Ukrainian folkloric performing ensemble in Sydney, Australia. It was founded in June 1964 by bandurist Hryhory Bazhul and since May 1971 was directed by Peter Deriashnyj.-Origins:...
(1972–), the Boyan Ukrainian Choir (1982–1996), the Suzwittia Women's Ensemble (1986–1991), the Strathfield Orthodox Parish choir (1980–2007); and musical director and conductor of the Ivasiuk Folk Ensemble (1984–2000).
Early life
Kharkiv styleKharkiv style
The Kharkiv Academic Style of Bandura Playing is a specific way of playing the Ukrainian folk instrument bandura.The instrument is held in a way that allows both hands equal access to all the strings...
bandurist
Bandura
Bandura refers to a Ukrainian plucked string folk instrument. It combines elements of a box zither and lute, as well as its lute-like predecessor, the kobza...
Deriashnyj was born in Calden, Germany in 1946. He emigrated to Australia with his parents, Fedir and Maria and sister Lidia. In November 1950 they arrived in Melbourne on the passenger liner Goya initially living in migrant camps in Bonegilla and Nelson Bay before settling in Newcastle
Newcastle, New South Wales
The Newcastle metropolitan area is the second most populated area in the Australian state of New South Wales and includes most of the Newcastle and Lake Macquarie Local Government Areas...
, New South Wales. After completing his education in Newcastle he moved to Sydney in 1966 to pursue studies in electrical engineering at the Sydney Institute of Technology graduating in 1972,
also formal musical studies in classical guitar
Classical guitar
The classical guitar is a 6-stringed plucked string instrument from the family of instruments called chordophones...
, music theory, composition and voice.
At age 10, Deriashnyj began to learn to play the bandura
Bandura
Bandura refers to a Ukrainian plucked string folk instrument. It combines elements of a box zither and lute, as well as its lute-like predecessor, the kobza...
from his father, a known performer on and maker of banduras Fedir Deriashnyj. At age 17 he began to study guitar
Guitar
The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
. He and fellow musician, violinist and guitarist Victor Marshall formed a folk trio in Newcastle called the "Folk City Singers" firstly with Maria Pekovnic and later with alto voiced Helen Cummins from 1964 to 1966. Deriashnyj and Marshall then moved to Sydney to continue their folk singing careers and through advertising found opera trained contralto, Dorothy Window who also was experienced in folk singing. The trio worked to develop their vocal harmony, guitar and performing techniques from 1966 to 1968.
Hnat Khotkevych Ukrainian Bandurist Ensemble
In July 1968 he began to study the Kharkiv style of banduraBandura
Bandura refers to a Ukrainian plucked string folk instrument. It combines elements of a box zither and lute, as well as its lute-like predecessor, the kobza...
from Hryhory Bazhul who in the early 1930s in Ukraine had studied bandura under Hnat Khotkevych
Hnat Khotkevych
Hnat Martynovych Khotkevych December 31, 1877 in Kharkiv, Russian Empire – October 8, 1938 in Kharkiv, in the Ukrainian SSR of the Soviet Union) was a Ukrainian writer, ethnographer, playwright, composer, musicologist, and bandurist....
. In 1969 he wrote his first composition for the bandura "Krai Kozachiy", followed by "Zaspivayu" to the words by Taras Shevchenko
Taras Shevchenko
Taras Hryhorovych Shevchenko -Life:Born into a serf family of Hryhoriy Ivanovych Shevchenko and Kateryna Yakymivna Shevchenko in the village of Moryntsi, of Kiev Governorate of the Russian Empire Shevchenko was orphaned at the age of eleven...
, and "Slava Otamanu". He also began to write arrangements of traditional songs for the Kharkiv style bandura. He gave up guitar for bandura, and in 1971 he became the artistic director of a small group of young bandurist
Bandurist
A bandurist is a person who plays the Ukrainian plucked string instrument known as the bandura.-Types of performers:There are a number of different types of bandurist who differ in their paricular choice of instrument, the specific repertoire they play and manner in which they approach their...
s originally formed by Hryhory Bazhul, the Hnat Khotkevych Ukrainian Bandurist Ensemble
Hnat Khotkevych Ukrainian Bandurist Ensemble
The Hnat Khotkevych Ukrainian Bandurist Ensemble is a vocal and instrumental Ukrainian folkloric performing ensemble in Sydney, Australia. It was founded in June 1964 by bandurist Hryhory Bazhul and since May 1971 was directed by Peter Deriashnyj.-Origins:...
of Sydney. Under Deriashnyj's direction the group expanded in numbers and included choral vocals in their performances. Their first solo concert took place in 1969 in Wollongong, dedicated to the Ukrainian bard Taras Shevchenko. In 1971 he also formed the Sydney School of Bandura to introduce the younger generation to the art of this instrument. Students of the School of Bandura were able to learn both the Kharkiv style and the Chernihiv style but since Kharkiv banduras were difficult to procure and the more plentiful Chernihiv type banduras were being brought from Ukraine, gradually more students played the Chernihiv style.(Dr. V. Mishalow – verifiable by archival photographs) The Sydney School of Bandura was the only one in Australia to teach the Kharkiv style.(Dr. V. Mishalow).
From 1970 the Bandurist Ensemble toured the eastern states in Australia with concerts and performances and as a quartet performed in Perth, Hobart, Adelaide, Melbourne and Geelong. In 1978 the quartet recorded an LP entitled Bandura and Song. The members of the quartet were Neonila Babchenko-Deriashnyj (soprano), Lidia Deriashnyj-Beal (alto) and Peter Chochula (bass).
Choral conducting
Early in 1982 he joined the Boyan Choral Society of Sydney. In November he became assistant conductor. In January 1983 the artistic director Vasyl Matiash fell ill and the choir became Deriashny's responsibility.Under his direction it performed at the annual Ukrainian Independence Day celebration. In 1984 and 1985 Deriashnyj travelled overseas to study choral conducting in Edmonton
Edmonton
Edmonton is the capital of the Canadian province of Alberta and is the province's second-largest city. Edmonton is located on the North Saskatchewan River and is the centre of the Edmonton Capital Region, which is surrounded by the central region of the province.The city and its census...
, Canada under maestro Wolodymyr Kolesnyk and Zenon Lawryshyn. On his return from Canada he founded a youth choir called the Ivasiuk Folk Ensemble.
By 1986 Deriashnyj became a significant cultural figure within the Ukrainian Diaspora in Sydney, as the artistic director of the Ukrainian Bandurist Ensemble, the Ivasiuk Folk Ensemble, the Boyan National Choir and the Suzwittia Women's Ensemble. He also conducted the church choir of the parish of the Holy Intercession in Strathfield, simultaneously.
Deriashnyj studied music theory, composition and the voice privately, under Daisy Hooker. Based on the aptitudes and experience gained as an altar boy, where he was exposed to sacred choral music of the Ukrainian Orthodox church, he acquired a love for Byzantine style "a cappella" choral singing and turned his skills to composing sacred works. His first composition "Christ is risen" (1981) was followed by "Bless the Lord, o my soul" (1983) Psalm 103, the first antiphon of the Orthodox liturgy. (Latter composition reviewed by composer Serhij Eremenko, Canada, August 1984.
In 1984, Deriashnyj prepared a concert in memory of Ukrainian songwriter Volodymyr Ivasyuk
Volodymyr Ivasyuk
Volodymyr Mykhailovych Ivasyuk or Volodymyr Ivasiuk was a very popular Ukrainian songwriter, composer and poet from the Ukrainian SSR...
who lost his life in suspicious circumstances. A standing ovation from the audience for what was a "moving concert" (quote A. Myrozhnik) confirmed it's appeal and the participants embarked on forming a new vocal ensemble in Sydney N.S.W. In 1985 he directed the Ivasiuk Folk Ensemble in rehearsals for a commemorative recording of Ivasiuk's compositions, which were adapted to a choral style performance with orchestral accompaniment.
After two years work, the combined Hnat Khotkevych Ukrainian Bandurist Ensemble of Sydney and the Ivasiuk Folk Ensemble gave concerts in Sydney and Melbourne where Deriashnyj's concept of choral-choreographic "montages" with pastoral themes (Harvest, Spring, Karpathia, Christmas, Vechornitsi) from Ukrainian village life were featured. The montages became their "signature" in performances at the annual Shell National Folkloric Festival
Shell National Folkloric Festival
Shell National Folkloric Festival was an annual ethnic folk festival held in Australia. Sponsored by the Shell Group of Companies with a grant of $50,000, the first Shell National Folkloric Festival was held at the Concert Hall during the opening celebrations of the Sydney Opera House in 1973.In...
s held in the Sydney Opera House (1978–1990) and Ukrainian community venues.
In 1988 the ensembles and choirs under his direction celebrated the Millenium of Christianity in Ukraine with concert performances in Brisbane, Sydney, Newcastle and Wollongong, and Canberra. In 1992, he took leave of absence from these performing groups in order to concentrate on improving his Kharkiv style bandura technique and composition. In 1996 he again returned to direct the Ivasiuk Folk Ensemble working with this ensemble until 2000. He continued to direct at the parish of the Holy Intercession until 2007.
Duet performances
From 2000, he and wife Neonila performed as a duet throughout Australia. In 2008 they were invited to Ukraine by the Kobzar's Fraternity to perform in the "Ukraina Palace of Culture" in commemoration of Ukrainian Independence and 5th anniversary of the founding of the Kobzar's Union.(7 November 2008) The performance was followed by a tour of Ukraine to demonstrate their Kharkiv style bandura to the Ukrainian bandurist fraternity. In RivneRivne
Rivne or Rovno is a historic city in western Ukraine. It is the administrative center of the Rivne Oblast , as well as the administrative center of the surrounding Rivne Raion within the oblast...
they were presented with an award for their contribution to the development of the Kobzar artistry in the diaspora (15, 16 November 2008).
In 2010, during the visit to Australia of His Eminence Dimitri, Metropolitan of Lviv and Sokal, they sang the high mass (arhiyereyska) in Brisbane and Newcastle Orthodox parishes. At the Divine Liturgy in Newcastle they were awarded a patriarchal citation for service to the Orthodox Church and the Ukrainian people by the Metropolitan on behalf of the His Holiness Filaret Patriarch of Kiev and all of Rus-Ukraine.
In 2010 they travelled to Canada to conduct and sing for the first Divine Liturgy for the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Kyivan Patriarchate, in the Parish of St. Peter and Paul in New Westminster and to perform in Canada's National Ukrainian Festival at Dauphin, Manitoba
Dauphin, Manitoba
Dauphin is a small city in Manitoba, Canada, with a population of 7,906 as of 2006. The nearby lake was given the name "Dauphin" by the explorer Pierre Gaultier de Varennes, sieur de La Vérendrye in 1741 in honour of the heir to the French throne...
, and in the Kiev Pavilion at the Folklorama
Folklorama
Folklorama is an event that runs for two weeks each August in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. Folklorama is the largest and longest-running festival of its kind in the world...
Festival in Winnipeg.
Repertoire
Almost all of Deriashnyj's repertoire for the Kharkiv style bandura was arranged by him. Apart from Ukrainian folk songs, he has also adapted and arranged several contemporary folk songs by singer song writers: Bob DylanBob Dylan
Bob Dylan is an American singer-songwriter, musician, poet, film director and painter. He has been a major and profoundly influential figure in popular music and culture for five decades. Much of his most celebrated work dates from the 1960s when he was an informal chronicler and a seemingly...
, John Denver
John Denver
Henry John Deutschendorf, Jr. , known professionally as John Denver, was an American singer/songwriter, activist, and humanitarian. After growing up in numerous locations with his military family, Denver began his music career in folk music groups in the late 1960s. His greatest commercial success...
, Gary Shearston
Gary Shearston
Gary Shearston is an Australian singer and songwriter who was a leading figure of the folk music revival of the 1960s. He is notable as a performer of Australian traditional folk songs in an authentic style...
and John Williamson
John Williamson (singer)
John Robert Williamson AM is an Australian country music singer-songwriter. Williamson has released over thirty-two albums, ten videos, five DVDs, and two lyric books...
.
Tours
- Australia (East Coast) (1970–72) with Khotkevych Bandurist Ensemble of Sydney
- Australia (1978–79) with quartet of bandurists
- North America (1984–85) solo – Edmonton, Winnipeg, Toronto, Montreal, NY, Washington
- Italy (1985) solo – Rome
- Australia (1986) Melbourne with Khotkevych Bandurist Ensemble of Sydney and Ivasiuk Folk Ensemble
- Australia (1988) Melbourne, Canberra, Brisbane, Newcastle, Wollongong with Khotkevych Bandurist Ensemble of Sydney and Ivasiuk Folk Ensemble
- Ukraine (2003) Duet with Neonila – KharkivKharkivKharkiv or Kharkov is the second-largest city in Ukraine.The city was founded in 1654 and was a major centre of Ukrainian culture in the Russian Empire. Kharkiv became the first city in Ukraine where the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic was proclaimed in December 1917 and Soviet government was...
, Velyka Pysarivka, KievKievKiev or Kyiv is the capital and the largest city of Ukraine, located in the north central part of the country on the Dnieper River. The population as of the 2001 census was 2,611,300. However, higher numbers have been cited in the press.... - Ukraine (2008) Duet with Neonila – Kiev, Stritivka, RivneRivneRivne or Rovno is a historic city in western Ukraine. It is the administrative center of the Rivne Oblast , as well as the administrative center of the surrounding Rivne Raion within the oblast...
, Kharkiv - Canada (2010) Duet with Neonila – VancouverVancouverVancouver is a coastal seaport city on the mainland of British Columbia, Canada. It is the hub of Greater Vancouver, which, with over 2.3 million residents, is the third most populous metropolitan area in the country,...
, DauphinDauphin, ManitobaDauphin is a small city in Manitoba, Canada, with a population of 7,906 as of 2006. The nearby lake was given the name "Dauphin" by the explorer Pierre Gaultier de Varennes, sieur de La Vérendrye in 1741 in honour of the heir to the French throne...
, WinnipegWinnipegWinnipeg is the capital and largest city of Manitoba, Canada, and is the primary municipality of the Winnipeg Capital Region, with more than half of Manitoba's population. It is located near the longitudinal centre of North America, at the confluence of the Red and Assiniboine Rivers .The name...
Songs and choral works for Kharkiv bandura style
- Land of the Kozaks – Край козачий(1969) – words by V. Masliak
- Glory to the Otaman – Слава Отаману (1969) – words unknown author
- Hamaliya – Гамалія (1969) – words T. Shevchenko
- Hope – Надія (1971) – words Lesya UkrainkaLesya UkrainkaLarysa Petrivna Kosach-Kvitka better known under her literary pseudonym Lesya Ukrainka , was one of Ukraine's best-known poets and writers and the foremost woman writer in Ukrainian literature. She also was a political, civil, and female activist....
- Heneralovi Chupryntsi (1972) – incomplete – words Marko Boyeslav
- Nochuvaly Haydamaky – Ночували Гайдамаки (1972) – words T. Shevchenko
- I Sing – Заспіваю (1973) – words Taras ShevchenkoTaras ShevchenkoTaras Hryhorovych Shevchenko -Life:Born into a serf family of Hryhoriy Ivanovych Shevchenko and Kateryna Yakymivna Shevchenko in the village of Moryntsi, of Kiev Governorate of the Russian Empire Shevchenko was orphaned at the age of eleven...
- "Duma about Petlura" – "Дума про Петлюру" – words by kobzar Ivan Kuchuhura KucherenkoIvan Kuchuhura KucherenkoIvan Iovych Kuchuhura-Kucherenko Ivan Iovych Kuchuhura-Kucherenko Ivan Iovych Kuchuhura-Kucherenko (July 7, 1878—November 24, 1937 was a Ukrainian minstrel (kobzar) and one of the most influential kobzars of the early 20th century...
- Kobza and song – Кобза і пісня (1978)(Bandura and song) – words by A. Yuriniak*
- Flag of Ukraine – Прапор України (1978) – words Ivan Danilchuk (Canadian poet)
- Oh song, oh song – Пісне, пісне (1978) – words Zoya Kohut (Aust. Poetess)
- Blue eyes – Очі сині – words P. Vakulenko
- Beyond the village – За селом (1982) – words Bozhena Kovalenko (Aust. poetess)
- Oh my maples – Клени, мої клени (1986) words Svitlana Kuzmenko and Stefania Hurko (Canadian Poets)
- About mother – Про матір – words Ivan Smal-Stotskiy (Australian poet)
- Murmur from Chihirin – Гомін з Чигрину (1987) – words M. Ch.
- Farewell – Прощання (1987) – words Bozhena Kovalenko (Aust. poetess)
- Zazhurylasia smereka – Зажурилася смерека (1987) – poem about V. Ivasiuk smuggled out of Ukraine
- A prayer for Ukraine – Молитва України (1998) – words Tetiana Domashenko
- Cranes – Лелеки (1998) – words Basil Onyfrienko (Aust. Poet)
- Song for Sahaydachnoho – Пісня про Сагайдачного (1998) incomplete – words Basil Onyfrienko (Australian poet)
- Mohutniy Volodartsi (1999) – words Ludmila Sarakula (Australian poetess)
- Ballad about an eagle – Балада про орла (1999) – words Tetiana Voloshko (Australian poetess)
- The Milky Way – Чимацький шлях (2000) – words Klava Roshko (Aust. poetess)
- Song for the Bandura – Бандурі (2008) words Lubov Zabashta
- Song for Otaman Zelenoho – Пісня про Отамана Зеленого(2009) – words Mykola Shcherbak
Sacred music for choir
- Christ is risen (1981)
- The Great Litany (1982)
- First Antiphon – Bless the Lord, O my soul (1983)
- Lord's Prayer (1984)
- The Small Litany No. 1, 2, 3 (1985–86)
- The Great Eucharistic Prayer (1986)
- Tropar for St. Volodymyr (1988) Commemorating millennium of Christianity in Ukraine
- It is Right in Truth – Dostoyno ye (1988)
- Father and Son – Otsia i Sina (1996)
- The Holy Communion Hymn – (1986)
- Second Antiphon – Only Begotten Son (1997) Dedicated to Maria and Fedir Deriashnyj
- Third Antiphon – The Beatitudes (1997)
- Small Litany for the Catechumens (1998)
- Pridite poklonimos (1998)
- The Thrice-Holy Hymn – Sviatiy Bozhe (1998)
- Aliluyia, Glory to Thee, o Lord(1998)
- The Creed (1998)
- The Dismissal (1999)
- The Annunciation (1999)
- We have seen the True Light (2000)
- The Lords Prayer (2001) in memory of victims of 11 September 2001 terrorist attacks
- God with us (2005)
Instrumental arrangements
- Chariots of fire – music by VangelisVangelisEvangelos Odysseas Papathanassiou is a Greek composer of electronic, progressive, ambient, jazz, pop rock and orchestral music, under the artist name Vangelis...
(for 3 banduras) - Shchedryk – music by Mykola LeontovychMykola LeontovychMykola Dmytrovych Leontovych was a Ukrainian composer, choral conductor, priest, and teacher of international renown. His music was inspired by Mykola Lysenko and the Ukrainian nationalist music school, along with Kyrylo Stetsenko, Alexander Koshetz, and Yakiv Stepovy...
(for 3 banduras)
Recordings
- "Bandura and Song" – featuring bandura quartet and guitarist Victor Marshall. Producer Peter Ilyk.
- "Songs of Volodymyr Ivasiuk" – sung by the Ivasiuk Ukrainian Folk Ensemble; accompaniment by the Sydney Bandurist Ensemble and Victor Burak on piano.
Bandura students
The first four students of the Sydney School for Bandura were taught initially by Hryhory Bazhul privately at his residence. As students developed technique and repertoire they performed in the School Ensemble and later were incorporated into the Khotkevych Ensemble as well. Notable students include Victor MishalowVictor Mishalow
Victor Mishalow is an Australian born Canadian bandurist, and educator. He is also known as a composer, conductor, and musicologist.-Biography:Born April 4, 1960, in Sydney, Australia, he graduated from the Sydney University B.A...
– Kiev/Chernihiv style.
Awards
- The Taras Shevchenko medal (Bronze) – (Spilka Vizvolenya Ykrayini 1986) for contribution to music in Australia
- The Taras Shevchenko medal (Gold) – (Spilka Vizvolenya Ykrayini 1988) for contribution to music in the diaspora
- The Kozak Cross of Glory (Bronze) – (Free Kozaks of Australia) for service to the community
- The Kozak Cross of Glory (Silver) – (Free Kozaks of Australia) for service to the community
- The Kozak Cross of Glory (Gold) first order – (Free Kozaks of Australia 2005) – for service to the community
- The Kozak Cross of Glory (Gold) second order – (Free Kozaks of Australia 2008) – for service to the community
- The AFUO medal (Silver) – (Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organisations 1983?) for service to the community in the arts
- The AFUO medal (Gold) – (Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organisations 1988) for service to the community in the arts
- Citation for contribution to art of bandura in diaspora – (Ukraine 2008) RivneRivneRivne or Rovno is a historic city in western Ukraine. It is the administrative center of the Rivne Oblast , as well as the administrative center of the surrounding Rivne Raion within the oblast...
, National Kobzar's Union - Patriarchal citation for service to the Orthodox Church of the Kyivan Patriarchate in the diaspora – Awarded by His Eminence Metropolitan Dimitri 2010.
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