Vasyl Lytvyn. Oy polety halko. (Hey, Fly the Daw)

Vasyl Lytvyn has already been singing for almost fifty years – but a disc with his pieces has been released only now. It is possible, sure, to complain on that score – for during the time that has passed a lot has been done, and it would be a pity if his achievements were lost. But it is also a reason to be glad as well – because if there is beginning, continuation may follow. Let's hope that it will be continued, that new discs will appear – in the end, Vasyl Lytvyn is one of those who always try to approach the matter of kobza-playing creatively, to extend horizons. He has already created a lot of author arrangements of classic songs – however, he has also created quite a lot of absolutely new pieces based on poems by the best modern poets, among whom there is also his wife, Antonina Lytvyn. In fact, repertoire of virtually any kobza-player includes a number of his own pieces – but for Vasyl Lytvyn the number of such pieces reaches a hundred, and this must be already an exception, not a rule. Moreover, he also has a pleasant performance manner. Mostly, he sings softly, lyrically, but from time to time some internal power breaks through and you feel – this man's hands are able to hold not only a music instrument... It seems for some reason that the same – or, maybe, greater – hidden power was characteristics of kobza-players of the past. In the end, they were singing the truth – and this has never been a business for weak ones.