Musical Delicacies – Concert of Polish & Ukrainian Chamber Music
$50 ($35 student/ages 65+/child/veteran)
- Alexander R Adams, bass-baritone
- Emma Burge, violin
- Mia HyeYeon Kim, piano
- Valentyn Lysenko, bandura
- Allison Pohl, soprano
- Ksenia Popova, soprano
- Lark Powers, piano
- Cassio Vianna, piano
Stanisław Moniuszko — Selected works
Mykola Lysenko — Selected works
Myroslav Volynsky — Selected works
Henryk Wieniawski — Selected works
Myroslav Skoryk — Selected works
Grażyna Bacewicz — Selected works
Indulge yourself with special musical treats of romantic works by Polish and Ukrainian composers of the past and present. The word Smakolyk in both Polish and Ukrainian languages means delicious food to enjoy and cheer up one’s mood. Our special treats will be in the form of art songs and classical chamber music to please your musical taste buds.
The recital program includes:
- Art songs by Frederic Chopin, Mykola Lysenko, Tadeusz Baird, and Myroslav Volynsky
- Chamber music by Henryk Wieniawski, Myroslav Skoryk, Grazyna Bacewicz, and Valentyn Lysenko, among others.
- Jazz variations of Polish and Ukrainian folk songs
- Tango songs by Bohdan Vesolovsky and Jerzy Petersburski
About PNW Kobzar Project
PNW Kobzar Project continues the authentic Ukrainian kobzar tradition of story telling via the language of music and art songs.
Kobzar (Ukrainian кобзар) literally means 'kobza player', a performer on Ukrainian stringed instrument of the lute family, and more broadly — a performer of the musical material associated with the kobzar tradition. The professional kobzar tradition was established during the Hetmanate Era around the sixteenth century in Ukraine. Kobzars accompanied their singing with a musical instrument known as the kobza, bandura, or lira. Their repertoire primarily consisted of para-liturgical psalms and "kanty", and also included a unique epic form known as "dumas" (Ukrainian equivalent of epic ballads, literal translated to English as "thoughts").
Kobzardom in Ukraine is similar to Western European poet-musician tradition such as Celtic bards, Old Nord/Eddic scalds, French troubadours, and Greek kitharodes. In Ukraine the word kobzar is associated with the great national poet Taras Shevchenko who was greatly influenced by kobzar traditions. His most famous poetry collection is called Kobzar. Urkainians show Taras Shevchenko the deep respect to his contributions to Ukrainian language and literature by calling him Kobzar. In PNW Kobzar Project concerts, we will include art songs based on Taras Shevchenko’s lyrics as well as the instrumental chamber music inspired by his literary and artistic heritage.
In addition to artistic aspect, kobzars were also old Ukrainian tradition keepers and news spreaders while traveling town to town and village to village. They played the role of the social media independent from the state authorities. During the time of serf system introduced to Ukraine by the Russian Empire (1783-1861) kobzars were those few people in Ukraine who could travel and speak freely though both administrative state and religious authorities of the Russian Empire did everything possible to reduce the influence of kobzars.
https://pnwkobzarproject.bandzoogle.comAbout Alexander R Adams, bass-baritone
Alexander R Adams is a classically trained bass-baritone singer and voice teacher, born and raised in the Seattle area. He received his Master of Music from the University of Southern California and his Bachelor of Music from the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, Washington. Alexander's opera roles include King Balthazar in Amahl and the Night Visitors, Truffaldino in Ariadne auf Naxos, Publio in La clemenza di Tito, Minister in Iphigénie en Tauride, Mr. Plunkett/Judge in The English Cat, and Sprecher/Armored Man in Die Zauberflöte, and Sergeant of the Police in Pirates of Penzance. The latest engagement was the role of Doctor Bartolo in Le Nozze di Figaro at Vashon Opera.
In 2018 Alexander started a private voice studio where he currently teaches online lessons to students of a variety of ages and skill levels. Alexander is also a composer. His most recent project is a collection of art songs based on poems by Edgar Allan Poe.
https://adams-voice.com/aboutmeAbout Emma Burge, violin
About Mia HyeYeon Kim, piano
About Allison Pohl, soprano
Soprano Allison Pohl's vivacious stage presence and spirited singing have inspired enthusiastic responses across three continents. Her work has received positive reviews for her "sparkling voice" (outerstage.com) and "exuberant" performances (Opera News). Of her performance in L'elisir d'amore at Virginia Opera, The Washington Post wrote: "Allison Pohl stood out with a ripe, flavorful soprano and ample character."
Allison has appeared with opera companies and orchestras throughout the United States, including Boston Lyric Opera, New York City Opera, Virginia Opera, Opera Saratoga, Tacoma Opera, Vashon Opera, Opera in the Heights, Opera Providence, Opera on the James, Seattle Symphony, Canton Symphony, Symphony Tacoma, Bremerton Symphony, Seattle Philharmonic, Garden State Philharmonic, Harmonia Seattle, and SkyOpera, and has been a soloist for orchestral tours in both Italy and China.
As a member of Soprello, Allison has performed chamber music across North America with cellist Alistair MacRae. She is a Seattle Opera Career Grant recipient, winner of the Seattle Philharmonic Concerto Competition, is on faculty at Brevard Music Center, and holds degrees from SUNY Purchase Conservatory of Music and Boston University.
http://allisonpohl.com/