Kvitka!

[Kathy]

I was introduced to Kvitka Cisyk by my husband. He first heard one of her albums in 1981, when it was given to one of his friends by a Ukrainian-American tourist. He and his friends enjoyed her fresh approach to Ukrainian folk music.

Here is one of her songs, with some beautiful photos that make me nostalgic for Ukraine -

YouTube - п п╡я√я┌п╨п╟ пія√я│п╦п╨ - п■п╣ я┌п╦ я┌п╣п©п╣я─ (Kvitka Cisyk-Where are you now?)

[andrewblow]

I agree entirely Kathy - some stunning photography and a lovely bird-like voice
andrew

[Max_the_Highlander]

This song is charming and just... I heard about Kvitka but I never had chance to hear any of her songs... they are just not on the surface.

It so far from current Ukrainian pop-canons so it sounds as pure underground.

I would argue if the song on video falls in folk music category... I'd say it sounds as an Ukrainian romance what is unusual... it's not secret Ukrainian culture has not strong romance tradition.

If someone doesn't know what the romance is - these are such exquisite emotional songs with vocal and guitar only.

[Kathy]

I agree, Max, that this piece is more romance than folk music. However, Kvitka recorded both. I've linked a few more below. I think the second piece is her weakest recording, because her voice doesn't have the power of Raisa Kerichenko or Nina Matvienko, and this song needs some of that.

The third piece on the link is from a Soviet movie. I like this piece (also a romantic piece).

There's another piece Kvitka recorded (Molodist' ne vernetsya) that I can't find online.

MySpace.com - Kvitka - - Folk - www.myspace.com/kvitkamusic

[Max_the_Highlander]

Wow, her voice is mysterious and god-like. These songs are really folk but I loved the romance better. It is more ardent.

Interesting.... she never was in Ukraine but reconstructed the intonations and atmosphere perfectly.

Girls and women in folk choirs here sing one to one like that.... and not always better because her singing is... beyond.

[Unbreakable]

Two Kvitka’s albums:

Songs of Ukraine (16 songs)

Two colors (15 songs)

- can be downloaded (in very high quality!!! – 320 kb/s) for free -

from www.torrents.ru (but you need to know a bit of Russian to register there )

P.S. - I recommend Azureus as bittorent client - www.azureus.com

[Kathy]

The youtube song is on True Colors. You may also enjoy Cheremshyna from that album. There's also a nice interpretation of an Ivasiuk piece.

They can be purchased from this site, which appears to be in Ukraine -

Kvitka (Kvitka Cisyk). Two Colors. // www.UMKA.com.ua