MUSIC REVIEW: "Favorite Ukrainian Songs" performed by Gerello (06/20/04)

MUSIC REVIEW: "Favorite Ukrainian Songs" performed by Gerello

by Bohdan Markiw

The bright star of the Kirov Opera of St. Petersburg's Mariinsky Theater, Ukrainian baritone Vassily Gerello has just issued his first solo album, a CD titled "Favorite Ukrainian Songs."

Born in 1963 in Vaslovytsi, Chernivtsi Oblast, in the Bukovyna region of Ukraine, Mr. Gerello studied at the Chernivtsi Music School and graduated from the Leningrad Conservatory. As a member of the Kirov since 1990, Mr. Gerello has performed in most of the world's leading opera houses, including those in London, Vienna, Paris and Venice and sang the title role in Verdi's "Macbeth" with the Kirov in New York.

He made his Metropolitan Opera debut in 1997 as Alfio in Leoncavallo's "Cavalleria Rusticana." More recently, he also appeared with the Met in its production of Prokofiev's opera "War and Peace."

Mr. Gerello's selection of songs on this CD follows in the tradition of great Ukrainian baritones, especially the renowned Dmytro Hnatiuk, who performed in the United States several decades ago. Mr. Hnatiuk popularized playful Ukrainian folk songs and the melancholic songs of the leading composers of the second half of the 20th century such as Platon Maiboroda, Alexander Bilash, Kos-Anatolsky and others. These songs demonstrate Mr. Gerello's long-standing familiarity with the repertoire that dates back to his childhood. Clearly, they are in his blood and in his soul.

It is indeed a pleasure to listen to his very fine, well-trained voice with its velvety color and lush, creamy timbre. There is no forcing of the sound and he always has plenty of breath in reserve. The majority of the songs are of a sentimental character and a delight to the listener.

The CD opens with the popular "Ridna Maty Moya" (Mother) to establish the recording's mood and follows with "Yaseny" (The Ash Trees) and "Dva Kolory" (Two Colors) - two lovely compositions by Mr. Bilash who passed away last year. He sings these and other favorites like "Dyvlius' Ya na nebo" (Looking at the Sky) with tightly connected and long arching phrases.

In the celebrated song "Stoyit Hora," Mr. Gerello finishes the verse on an optimistic note, singing "the mountain stands high, the thick green grove rustles with the sounds of birds, and the river sparkles..." He spares us the agonizing traditional ending of life's cycle wherein "springtime will come back again but our youth will not return."

This recording includes the classic "Reve ta Stohne" about the mighty river Dnipro sung here with conviction. In addition, Mr. Gerello performs a lesser known song "Oy Koly b Ya Sokil" (Eagle) with much feeling as the lyrics praise the land of his birth. "I know too well that there is no better land than my own homeland."

The shortest but most intoxicating piece (only 60 seconds in duration) is the captivating new love song "Skazhe Meni" (Tell Me). It's theme is that of a young fellow who, madly in love without knowing why, keeps asking his beloved: "Why do I love you?" I'm sure that listeners, especially the ladies, will be held spellbound, as was I, after hearing it. Mr. Gerello's voice comes through gorgeously seductive and melodious.

This CD is a must for all collectors of Ukrainian music. In all of these songs, Mr. Gerello is superbly accompanied by the Moscow Chamber Orchestra led by the Armenian American conductor Constantine Orbelian. Born in San Francisco, Maestro Orbelian initially embarked upon a career as a piano virtuoso that ultimately led him conducting symphony orchestras worldwide.

The music arrangements for orchestra are fresh and differ from the typical orchestrations for these well-known songs. An innovative element is the inclusion of five folk instruments: the domra, the husli, the alto domra, the double-bass balalaika and the bayan played by Evgeny Stetsyuk. There is a blend of instruments, which were played by the Style of Five ensemble, to achieve unique special effects and coloring.

The total of 18 songs in this enjoyable collection on the U.S. Delos International label CD has a duration of nearly 54 minutes. The album includes a booklet that provides a short overview of the history of Ukrainian songs, the lyrics with translation and short biographies of the artists.

Mr. Gerello may also be heard in Rakhmaninoff's "Aleko," again with the Moscow Chamber Orchestra led by Constantine Orbelian on a Delos label, and as Napoleon in Prokofiev's "War and Peace" with the Kirov Opera conducted by Valery Gergiev on a Philips recording.

"Favorite Ukrainian Songs" may be purchased at major music stores, such as Tower Records.

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