ChristopherBest.net

composer and writer

Dolya Nash Krai (2003)

"An idiosyncratic blend of stylistic types....the music comes across vividly...."
(SPNM Reading panel)

 

A setting of 2 traditional Ukrainian folk texts for Soprano, Alto, Electric Guitar and Gamelan Gong Kebyar. Shortlisted in 2004 by the SPNM.

In 1998, when directing the Composers and Choreographers Exchange in London, I met the Ukrainian singer and composer Halyna Ovcharenko. Her stunning 'Authentic Voice' singing style immediately captured my imagination and some years later I decided to write a piece for her, setting two Ukrainian folk texts.

1] Nashe Slavne Tovaristvo (a folksong) Hej! Povij vitre iz stepiv Hej! Daj nam sylu Kozakiv Hej! Daj nam sylu Nashe slavne tovaristvo Hej! Marshiruje, raz, dva, tri! Hej! Vidno selo pid goroju Oj tam jidut’ nashi Kozaki do boju Poperedu jidut’ starshi otamany Khto okhotu maje, khaj jide z namy Khloptsi zh bo to khloptsi sokoly Nashe slavne tovaristvo Hej! Marshiruje, raz, dva, tri! (Free translation: Cossacks appeal to a strong wind for its strength. In order to protect their freedom, they are marching through the village to battle; the bravest first. “Join us if you will! We have been marching; one, two, three!”)

2] Visluhay, Bozhe, Blahannya (a prayer) Visluhay, Bozhe, blahannya Niszhit ne dolya nash krai Vyednosti syla narodu Bozhe, nam yednost’ podai (Free translation: O Lord, give us unity we need for our strength) With thanks to Halyna Ovcharenko for providing me with these texts and offering her free translations.

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It was not my intention to imitate the Ukrainian folk music style and, almost as if to make this point, I chose as her accompaniment the Dartington College of Arts Balinese Gamelan ensemble, an electric guitar and a second non-Ukrainian voice. Dolya Nash Krai was subsequently premiered at Totnes Castle and recorded at Dartington College of Arts. The ensemble (also heard in the extract here) was as follows;

Christopher Best - Conductor
Maryam Best - Soprano
Halyna Ovcharenko - Alto
Paul Swoger-Ruston - Electric Guitar
With members of Dartington College of Arts Gamelan orchestra;
Elizabeth Hall, Konstantin Bikos - Pemade
Georgina Watts, Saj Heming - Kantilan
Michael McInerney - Ugal, Ceng-ceng Kopyak
Julia Brown, Tamsin Irving - Jublag
Yvette Worrall, Matthew Ratcliffe - Jegog
Wayne Cardy, Neil A. Kay, Kathryn Barker - Reyong
Benjamin Burge - Kelentong, Kempur, Gong
Jane Morley - Kajar, Ceng-ceng Kopyak

Fullscore: 49pp £26 incl P&P. Purchase
Set of 14 parts. Hire
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