Vadym Yatsenko, the new Artistic Director of the State Academic Folk Choir named after Hryhoriy Verevka, has announced the first results of his acquaintance with the ensemble. Immediately after his appointment, which took place on the second day after his departure from the Lviv Opera, the conductor admitted that the situation in the choir requires urgent and large-scale changes.
Neglected state and administrative challenges
In a conversation with 'Radio Kultura', Yatsenko did not try to gloss over reality. According to him, many problems were revealed right at the start of his work — both artistic and administrative. 'Unfortunately, everything is in a rather neglected state... There is a lot of work to do, but we will work,' stated the new director, emphasizing his readiness for difficult tasks.
Rejection of the 'Soviet Ukrainian' image
The conductor paid special attention to the criticism related to the term 'sharovarschyna' (folklorism). Yatsenko acknowledges that the choir is indeed a product of the Soviet system, created to present the Ukrainian in the form that suited the authorities of that time. However, he insists that now the issue concerns the concept of the system itself, rather than an unchangeable way of life.
The main task of the new leadership will be to overcome the inferiority complex. Yatsenko is categorically against the country's leading musical ensemble playing the role of backing vocals for pop performers. 'I have great respect for all popular music performers, but one of the leading musical ensembles of the country cannot be backing vocals for just anyone. We do not intend to allow that,' he emphasized.
New visuals and collaboration with brands
Plans to update the repertoire and image of the ensemble look ambitious. Yatsenko intends to scale the repertoire of Ukrainian folk songs and go beyond the stage. In particular, he plans to start collaborating with Ukrainian clothing brands to transmit the ethnic code through visual imagery.
'The choir can transmit this part of the Ukrainian ethnos through visuals as well,' noted the conductor, pointing to prospects that, in his opinion, others might not notice.
Continuing work with 'Homyn'
In addition to reforming the legendary Verevka Choir, Vadym Yatsenko confirmed that he will continue to work with the 'Homyn' ensemble, which has recently gained wide popularity on social media. This decision indicates the director's desire to combine classical traditions with modern trends.
