Markiyan Melnychenko (violin), Peter de Jager (piano), Benjamin Martin (piano)

Mykola Lysenko: Ukrainian Rhapsody, Op. 34
Borys Lyatoshynsky: 2 Pieces for Violin & Piano
Barvinsky: Chanson triste
Barvinsky: Humoresque on Ukrainian Folk Themes
Borys Lyatoshynsky: 3 Songs on Tajik Themes, Op. 25
Anatoliy Kos-Anatolskyi: The Shawl of Dovbush
Borys Lyatoshynsky: Melody
Ivan Karabyts: Musician
Stanyslav Lyudkevych: Lamentations
Stanyslav Lyudkevych: Chabarashka
Kolessa: 3 Kolomyiky

Ukrainian classical music is not even two centuries old, and for most of that time has had to contend with active attempts at suppression by a hostile neighbour. But Ukrainian composers have stood their ground, not least by taking inspiration from the folk-music that has long thrived in Ukraine’s mountains and fields. In this first of a series of Postcards from Ukraine the Ukrainian-Australian violinist Markiyan Melnychenko presents a programme of largely unknown miniatures for violin and piano, all based on, or inspired by, that folk-culture. Alternately sparkling and soulful, these violin showpieces make the case for a more thorough examination of the riches still to be discovered in Ukraine’s musical heritage.