As the
Canadian Bandurist Capella enters its third concert season and has further
refined its performance skills in both vocal and instrumental aspects, what has
become growingly evident is the need for concert quality Kharkiv-style concert
banduras.
The Kharkiv
style bandura as opposed to the more common Kyiv bandura, allows the player to
access all of the strings of the bandura with both, rather than just the right
hand. As a result, more technically demanding pieces can be played on this type
of instrument. Concert quality instruments differ considerably from standard
instruments, not only in sound quality but also in the fact that they have a
specially designed mechanism installed into the body of the instrument similar
to that of a concert harp. This mechanism allows the performer to easily play in
all keys.
Unfortunately,
all attempts to obtain such instruments from Ukraine have been unsuccessful,
mainly because they are currently not being made there. It is possible however
to manufacture them here in Canada.
There are a
number of drawbacks for manufacturing such instruments in Canada. The most
obvious is the cost. Suitable specially dried materials are more expensive in
Canada in comparison to Ukraine. Craftsmanship by qualified luthiers is also
more expensive than in Ukraine. As a result, such individually crafted
concert quality instruments will be cost approximately $4000 Canadian each. (In
comparison concert harps of similar quality are about $25,000 each)
Most of the
bandurists in our capella are teenagers in high school or in College. They play
very well on their Kyiv style banduras, but unfortunately the cost of
commissioning such an instrument is prohibitive.
Add to this
the fact that the bandura is a rare and uniquely Ukrainian instrument. Even in
Ukraine, one cannot just go to a music store to pick up and choose an
instrument. One cannot go to a conservatory of music school here in Canada to
learn to play the instrument. The research and development in instrument
construction and playing technique is still continuing and we are fortunate to
have a dedicated group of talented individuals who have mastered the instrument.
A workman can
only be as good as the tools he has at his disposal. In our case we need to
outfit ourselves with the best instruments we can get, and thus we are appealing
to the public to help us in our fundraising efforts to commission a set of 16
concert Kharkiv style banduras designed and manufactured in Canada.
Victor Mishalow (Merited Artist of Ukraine)
Artistic Director
Canadian Bandurist Capella