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ReviewsProfessor Dr. John Erpenbeck
Thanks a lot for this wonderful, excellent CD - set which gives us a
music, very far and very near to our European habits. I am in particular
happy, that the seemingly dead music- and poetry scene in the eastern
countries comes to life, thanks to so exceptional promotion and
patronage as it was in this case.
Ukrainian art songs reveal singer's knack for storytelling
Hunka is in demand as an opera singer, but his approach to the more intimate form is splendid. Even without knowing Ukrainian (the package has a complete English translation of all 42 songs), you are drawn into the sentiment of the text through his gift for musical storytelling. Stetsenko's work is flavoured with folk simplicity, but he is also accomplished in creating small, higher musical dramas with the piano accompaniments he wrote for the songs. This is not as intense as Schubert's darkest cycles or Hugo Wolf's gothic sensibility, but there is depth in the music as well as a lighter side on occasion. Hunka is joined by a stellar cast of Canadian talent including Russell Braun and Gryphon Trio cellist Roman Borys, both of Ukrainian descent, as well as Benjamin Butterfield, a regular contributor to the Edmonton opera scene. The historical notes in English, Ukrainian, French and German are excellent. Hunka has 10 more releases planned for his Ukrainian Art Song Series."  
"Impressive two-CD set... Hunka uses his lush, operatic voice with great subtlety… Albert Krywolt accompanies beautifully on the piano... these easy listening discs are a treat in all respects"-John Terauds, Toronto Star
"I was astonished at the range and by the variations of emotions that is expressed in these songs""One of the most significant recordings in recent times; this will quickly take its place in the world of classical art song recordings" "Pavlo Hunka has a magnificent command of text in several languages, an arresting stage presence, and a dramatic instrument, which allows him to sing the great bass and bass-baritone roles of the repertoire" |
"British-Ukrainian opera singer... Pavlo Hunka launched the
first of what he expects to be a series of Ukrainian art song discs,
beginning with this two-CD collection of Kyrylo Stetsenko's output.
(Stetsenko was born in 1882 and died in 1922.)