Reminder: Ancient Songs of Russia - Svetilen - in NYC 11/22/03

[YUKO YAMAMOTO]

PLEASE FORWARD

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U.S. debut of celebrated Russian ensemble

SONGS OF ANCIENT RUSSIA

SVETILEN

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2003   8:00 PM

Town Hall, 123 West 43rd Street, NYC

$35, $25; students $15      Box office (212) 840-2824     TicketMaster (212)
307-4100
Info/charges (212) 545-7536             worldmusicinstitute.org

Svetilen, the celebrated 7-member ensemble under the direction of Dmitri
Garkavi, brings its hauntingly beautiful choral music of Russia to the
American stage for the first time. The group performs original arrangements
of regional folk songs, some of which date back more than a thousand years,
as well as liturgical music of the Russian Orthodox Church and contemporary
compositions.  While most songs are performed a cappella, some are
accompanied by ancient Russian strings such as gusli (zither) and koloisnaya
lira (hurdy-gurdy).

Svetilen was formed in 1989 to research and promote the old Russian choral
tradition. The word "Svetilen" is part of the church vocabulary, and means a
short prayer for soul enlightenment. (The prayer was performed during candle
lighting in ancient churches.) Under the leadership of Dmitri Garkavi, the
group has spent considerable time in the research of sacred choral music and
regional folk styles, studying harmonic structure and rhythmic patterns.
Svetilen's singing style is characteristic of old Russia, long before the
introduction of Western academic choral traditions. The ensemble is
dedicated to reviving and restoring this cultural heritage for the Russian
people and exposing it to the rest of the world.

The group has built a solid following in Russia, having performed in many
festivals, including the International Festival of Orthodox Music in Moscow
(1997, 1998, 1999) and the Nevskeiye Assembly in St. Petersburg (1998), as
well as major concert halls throughout Russia.  In addition Svetilen has
performed throughout Europe, winning prizes at festivals and competitions in
Hungary, Austria, Germany, and Sweden. Its recordings include From Christmas
to Easter, Popular Traditional Songs of Russia, and From East to West.

This program is made possible in part with funding provided by the Trust for
Mutual Understanding. Public support is provided by the New York State
Council on the Arts, a State agency. Additional funding is provided by the
Howard Bayne Fund and the Concordia Foundation.

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