The popularizers of Belarusian folklore, the band Vuraj, present a new EP called Kalyna (Калына). It includes songs that the band discovered during a spring expedition to the Brest region.
There are four tracks on the EP, but only two songs. The thing is, in addition to the "Vuraj" versions, you can also listen to the authentic performance by living bearers of tradition.
"This time we set ourselves the task of preserving the authenticity of the works as much as possible - melodies, pronunciation, mood and even the traditional manner of performance," says Vuraj leader Serzhuk Doŭhushaŭ.
To this end, the vocalist of the Polotsk band Varhan, Hanna Lutava, was invited to record one of the songs, who sang with Serzhuk in a duet. In the second composition, the voices of singers from the folk group Babina Leta sound together with Vuraj.
In addition, the new Vuraj bassist Pilip Petchenka, also known for the Dee Tree project, and drummer Alexey Maksimov participated in the recording of the EP. The recording took place at the Everest studio in Minsk. Mixing and mastering - Pavel Sinila. Cover design - Liza Lyankevich. Recording of authentic performers - Artyom Petrashkevich.
About the songs
Oh Yurya, Yurya
The calendar spring song Yurya was recorded in the village of Aranchytsy, Pruzhany district. It was sung by the Babina Leta collective, which was created back in the 80s and continues the tradition of folk singing to this day. The leader and oldest member of the group, Tatsiana Pilipaŭna Pushko, is already 84 years old, but this does not interfere with singing.
Yurya is an ancient folk holiday in honor of the saint - the patron saint of peasant animals and fields. This day marks the beginning of spring, the revival of the earth. Yurya is asked to take the keys from God to open the earth and start a new season. Many rituals and beliefs are associated with the holiday - for example, shepherds did not take a knife with them on this day, because sharpening a knife means sharpening the wolf's teeth.
Kalyna
The title song of the EP "Kalyna" tells about the fate of a beauty who recently moved to live with her husband. It is difficult for a young wife in a new family - her mother-in-law dislikes her and slanders her. This is a popular plot of Belarusian wedding songs: it is not easy for girls to leave their father's house and look for a new destiny in the husband's family.
The song comes from Polesie, from the Drahichyn district. It was recorded in the village of Volka performed by the family duet of Evdokia Zinovich and Fyodor Bulyga. The duet performs ancient "former" songs, continuing the Polesian tradition. In addition, musicians are engaged in weaving and crafts.
About the band Vuraj
Vuraj (Vu-raj) experiments with folklore and preserves the traditional song heritage of Belarus. Musicians collect folk songs on expeditions around the country and give them a new modern sound in the studio. As a result, works are born on the border of various styles from rock to classical, but authentic melodies, texts, dialects are preserved.
The band has released a number of EPs and singles, as well as 4 albums, the last of which the musicians recorded in Varash with a producer who has several Grammy nominations.
Winners of the "Heroes of the Year" award from the tuzin.fm portal for their contribution to Belarusian music. Best folk album according to experty.by. Participants of international festivals.
Links and more information about the band:
- https://www.facebook.com/vurajband/
- https://www.instagram.com/vurajband/
- https://vk.com/vurajband
- https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCH3y-5P320iSn-smEATkkyQ
- http://vuraj.tilda.ws/
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