Customer Reviews

King Of The Ukrainian Fiddlers - The Early Years 1925-1927

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A rare collection of Ukrainian village music by the king of the Ukrainian fiddlers, Pawlo Humeniuk. Folk music from the western regions of Ukraine, the Cartpathians, and the Ukrainian-speaking areas of what is today eastern Slovakia and Poland, but once comprised a wide geographical area of Ukraine, known as Halychyna (Galicia). Music not only played prior to WWI, but still occasionally performed today - on both sides of the Atlantic. If you want to own the second best known "King" in the music world, get the wonderful Pawlo Humeniuk CD.

I am glad someone took the time out to re record those old 78 records of a great fiddle player and introduce him to us nowadays. If you want to hear turn of the century Csardas-Kolomyika music from the Carpatho-Ukraine style this is it. Fresh and raw just the way it ought to be. When listening to this cd you will be amazed at Pawlo Humeniuk's skill and style which is very intense and detailed.

Humeniuk was truly one of Ukraine's great folk musicians, and it's evident in this recording. Though a few of the songs include some pretty goofy-sounding vocals (especially by the woman!), the instrumental tracks are gems! He incorporated sounds from all over Ukraine, with nuances from neighboring countries clearly represented (like Hungarian-style csardases). Wonderful!