The Ukrainian pianist, Violina Petrychenko, is a regular guest at the ARS recording facility in Wuppertal and, as we have repeatedly noted, she also is a fervent defender of Ukrainian values. So far, she has graced classical music lovers with numerous unknown Ukrainian piano pieces, some of them a World Premiere. This time, however, she shares with us a mainly Christmas and end-of-year piano collection ‘Winter Whispers’ from her homeland.

Not only are three of the chosen composers new to the Hi-Res library: Mykola Silvansky, Mykola Dremlyuga, and Serge Yushkevich’, but also Vasyl Barvinsky’s ‘Kolyadki’ (traditional Christmas carols) have not before been published in the Super Audio domain. Once again, many are World Premieres, making this programme an interesting release.

Focussing on Ukrainian Piano Tales of the season, we mustn’t expect a recital of top Ukrainian composers. Violina’s idea was to put together a collection of appropriate piano works for all those longing to hear Ukrainian carols to counterbalance the abundance of Western X-mas music. I’ve listened to it and I’m pleased to confirm that her effort is a splendid success. Also, is it a well-chosen moment to add a large measure of nostalgia to the millions of Ukrainians who have had to flee Russian aggression, and are now temporarily living far away from ‘home’.

Petrychenko’s pianistic qualities by now widely known and appreciated, I will refrain from dwelling for too long on the excellent narrative manner through which she can convey Ukrainian Moods to a receptive audience. Reading the liner notes is a pleasure and Manfred’s recording in Wuppertal’s Kulturzentrum Immanuel is, as always, top-class.

I’m sure that these miniatures will be met with great anticipation, and not only with our Ukrainian friends.

Blangy-le-Château, Normandy, France.

Copyright © 2023 Adrian Quanjer and HRAudio.net

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