Rizdvo by Leléka
The music on this album embraces the incredibly rich tradition of Ukrainian Christmas music and aims to breathe new life into music that is largely forgotten or unknown. This music is linked to unique ancient traditions and rites dating back to pre-Christian times.
The two most important Christmas holidays are Kolyada (Holy Eve) and Shchedry Vechir (New Year's Eve). Congratulatory songs wishing happiness, health, prosperity and announcing the birth of Christ that are sung on these evenings are called Kolyadky and Schedrivky. On these two evenings, groups of people dressed in traditional costumes go from house to house, singing songs and performing theatrical scenes. In return, they receive sweets and coins. The lyrics of these traditional songs praise the head of the family, the mother of the family and their children, wishing them happiness and health, and for the household to have wealth and generous offspring. To cut a long story short, each family member is honoured with one or more Christmas songs. This is also the case with our album.
The opening songs Raduisia and Bil' are Kolyadky, addressed to a young woman or daughter. Syz Orel is a Schedrivka, dedicated to the father and owner of the house, while Oi v Lisku is a Schedrivka, again sung to a young woman.
The song Oi u Kyjevi is presented as an instrumental version. The original lyrics tell the joyful story of building a church in Kyjev that lets the sun and moon shine through and Christ fly in. Bozhe also marks one of the more religious moments on the album by having a controversial monologue with God, asking him why life is not as it used to be and why there is so much pain and suffering in the world.
Yvanova Maty and Khto Konja Kupyv are songs for a young man or a son. Sviat Vechir is an exception among the songs dedicated to family members. It is a Kolyadka addressed to a beekeeper and his bees, wishing him bees or even a queen bee to find their way to his house for a rich honey harvest. It has become a tradition to end our concerts with a lullaby and so this album also ends with a lullaby called Lesyna Kolyskova, which is a poem by Ukrainian poet Lesya Ukrainka, which has been set to music.
We consider it a great privilege to be able to spend time with and play this beautiful music in these dark days. It is our deepest hope that these ancient songs can give you light, joy, energy to never give up and moments of peace.
LELÉKA and Maksym Berezhniuk
Lyrics in Ukrainian, English and German for all tracks:
https://www.leleka.de/lyrics-rizhdvo/
Tracklist
| 1. | Raduisia | 3:52 |
| 2. | Bil' | 3:06 |
| 3. | Basova Peregra | 1:00 |
| 4. | Syz Orel | 3:25 |
| 5. | Sviatkova Telynka | 0:42 |
| 6. | Oj v Lisku | 3:28 |
| 7. | Oj u Kyievi | 3:38 |
| 8. | Bozhe | 3:30 |
| 9. | Yvanova Maty | 3:16 |
| 10. | Sviat Vechir | 4:55 |
| 11. | Khto Konia Kupyv | 2:44 |
| 12. | Drymbova Spivanka | 1:54 |
| 13. | Lesyna Kolyskova | 3:10 |
Credits
Viktoria Leléka - vocals
Maksym Berezhniuk - woodwind instruments, vocals
Povel Widestrand - piano
Thomas Kolarczyk - double bass
Jakob Hegner - drums
All compositions arranged by the band LELÉKA, based on Traditionals.
All lyrics are traditional, except Lesyna Kolyskova (lyrics by Lesya Ukrainka)
Recorded in July 2023 at Jazzanova Recording Studio (Berlin) by Marian Hafenstein
Mixed by Jakob Hegner
Mastered by Marcin Bociński at Legato Mastering
Female Choir in Track 12 by Mariia Kebuladze (aka KEBU)
Album Artwork by Emanuel Pelz
Photos by Kateryna Kozinska
Style / Makeup by Hanna Demidova
Ukrainian authentic antique clothes and jewelry from the collection of Bohdan Petrychuk
Other designer clothes provided by STUDIO183
Special Thanks:
Initiative Musik, Goethe Institut, Ukrainian Institute, MitOst e.V., Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, musszo booking, GLM Music, Maryana Bondarenko, Anastasia Berezhniuk, Anna Zakletska, Daryna Borodii, Rosina Bullen, Oleksiy Oliyar, Tania Shatilova, all our fans for your constant support & energy
