Canadian Bandurist Capella

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The Canadian Bandurist Capella 2003

The Canadian Bandurist Capella A vocal-instrumental choral group which combines the sound of a male chorus with the orchestral accompaniment of the multi-stringed Ukrainian Bandura.

The Canadian Bandurist Capella was established in 1991 as a male vocal ensemble that accompanied itself on the bandura by Victor Mishalow. It had its first performance in January 8 1992. In 1993 it changed its name to the Toronto Bandurist Capella and became changed over to a mixed gender ensemble. In 2001 it once again became an exclusively male ensemble and in 2002 it became incorporated and officially changed its name back to the Canadian Bandurist Capella.

The ensemble has grown to become a significant force within the Ukrainian Community in Canada. It unites the talents of some 50 singers and up to 21 instrumentalists-bandurists.

The repertoire of the ensemble has grown and become more sophisticated to encompass not only arrangements of epic historic songs and traditional folk songs, but also sacred music and modern compositions.

The Capella has performed throughout Upper Canada and is now continuing to expand its activities to other regions. It has performed in Manitoba, Illinois and Quebec. The ensemble has completed 2 CD recordings.

The artistic direction of the Canadian Bandurist Capella is made up of a team with Merited Artist of Ukraine - Victor Mishalow (Artistic director), Andrii Dmytrovych (Choir Master) Yurij Petlura (Concert Master).

Recordings

Recently it recorded its second CD with renown Bass-baritone Pavlo Hunka.

Canadian Bandurist Capella Recordings:
1. Debut CD "Canadian Bandurist Capella" (2005) 14 tracks
2. CD "Hraj Kobzarju!" (Гpaй Кoбзapю!) (2008) 12 tracks

Many of the Canadian Capellas concert performances are available on YouTube.

Current direction

The ensemble is striving toward reviving the ensemble traditions set by the Poltava Bandurist Capella that developed under the direction of Hnat Khotkevych. To this goal it has ordered specially made Kharkiv style banduras from bandura maker William Vetzal and is training its bandurists to meet the challenges of this style of bandura music.

Sources

• Mishalow, V. A Short History of the Bandura // East European Meetings in Ethnomusicology 1999, Romanian Society for Ethnomusicology, Volume 6, - С.69-86
• Мішалов, В. “Кобзарська спадщина Гната Хоткевича у діаспорі” // Традиції і сучасне в українській культурі /Тези доповідей Міжнародної науково-практичної конференції, присвяченої 125-річчю Гната Хоткевича/ X.: 2002. - С.97-98
• Мішалов, В.. – Бандура в еміграційних центрах у міжвоєнний період (с.95-103) – Karpacki Collage Artystyczny – Biuletyn – Przemysl, 2005

External links

• Canadian Bandurist Capella
• Video - Canadian Bandurist Capella: Live in Chicago (2009)

http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=853AFDBBA78307E8