SHEVCHENKO MUSICAL ENSEMBLE

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PROGRAMS


The Shevchenko Musical Ensemble offers a wide variety of concert and performance programs:


1. Ensemble Performance - A performance utilizing each component of the Ensemble (orchestra, choir, dancers) in a variety of musical styles, with emphasis on Russian and Ukrainian music and dance.


2. Toronto Mandolin Orchestra with Instrumental Soloists - A variety program of orchestral music performed by the Toronto Mandolin Orchestra with various instrumental soloists. Previous concerts have included soloists on mandolin, domra, flute, pan flute, accordion, cimbalom, oboe. Music ranges from classical to ethnic folk (Ukrainian, Russian, Jewish, Romanian, Greek, and more). These concerts also feature various orchestral showpieces and overtures, such as Overtures from Rossini's "Barber of Seville" and Kalman's "Countess Maritsa."


3. Toronto Mandolin Orchestra with Vocal Soloists - A variety program of orchestral music performed with vocal soloists ranging from soprano to baritone. Selections range from folk and popular music to classical and operatic.


4. Toronto Mandolin Orchestra With Tamara Volskaya - The Toronto Mandolin Orchestra is frequently joined by domra virtuoso Tamara Volskaya. Volskaya's astounding virtuosity and soul make her an audience favourite sure to impress and wow any crowd. Highlights of this program include Budashkin's "Concerto For Domra and Orchestra," and the unique, show-stopping arrangement of Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue" for solo domra and Mandolin orchestra. To sample this program, the Ensemble has available two CD recordings featuring Volskaya with the Orchestra.


5. Peter and the Wolf - A program featuring the Toronto Mandolin Orchestra and Kaniv Dancers of the Shevchenko Ensemble. Prokofiev's classic musical tale is performed dramatically with narrator and actors/dancers in the roles of Peter, the Wolf, the Cat, the Duck, the Bird, the Hunters etc. A delightful program appropriate for both adult and children's audiences.


6. Mandolins of the World - Following the success of the recent Classical Mandolin Society of America (CMSA) convention, hosted and organized by the Toronto Mandolin Orchestra, we now offer a concert program inspired by that event. The Toronto Mandolin Orchestra is joined by 2-4 other performance groups featuring mandolin and mandolin-related instruments in an eclectic program of mandolin music from various parts of the world. Collaborating groups may include: the Croatian tambura ensemble Skitnice, Toronto group Beyond the Pale (klezmer and East European folk music), Greek bouzouki virtuoso Kostas Apostolakis, gypsy mandolin maestro Charley Rappaport, bluegrass and newgrass group Mando Madness, and others.