The Ukrainian Art Song Project and the Musica Leopolis recording label were founded in 2004 with the dream of acquiring and promoting the classical treasures of Ukrainian art song. The project is a ground-breaking initiative that aims to record and publish a veritable anthology of over 1,000 art songs by 26 of Ukraine’s greatest composers for distribution to the music world. Equally important is introducing Ukrainian art songs to students in international conservatories and faculties of music.

 

The label has recorded over 350 dramatic songs, many of them masterpieces, of composers such as Mykola Lysenko, Kyrylo Stetsenko, Yakiv Stepovyi, Stefania Turkewich and Vasyl Barvinsky. Musical scores will be published in the near future on the Ukrainian Art Song Project website where they can be downloaded free of charge.

 

This landmark project was envisioned and founded by Pavlo Hunka, acclaimed British bass-baritone and internationally renowned opera star, who teamed with Roman Hurko, composer and opera director, to produce the recordings. The project operates under the auspices of the Canadian Ukrainian Opera Association, a registered charity, whose objectives are to promote Ukrainian classical music in all forms including live performances and recordings.