Ukrainian folk songs free download

The Ukrainian bandura is a traditional plucked string instrument that combines the acoustic principles of both the lute and the harp. It is a uniquely Ukrainian instrument with a sound that is empathic and gentle, resembling that of a harpsichord, but with a wider range of dynamics and tonal control.

The Ukrainian bandura is thought to have evolved from a line of lute-like instruments, such as its predecessor, the kobza. The main distingushing characteristics are: — 1 the absence of frets, which means that each string can sound only one note, as in a harp, and — 2 the presence of treble strings streched over the soundboard, off center from the bass strings that run along the neck.

The result is an asymmetric body. The once homemade folk instruments have variations in shape. From the 15th to the 18th centuries, the bandura was played by the kobzari a kobzar is a wandering minstrel, usually blind and sometimes led by a child , and Kozaks Cossacks, or free warriors. The use and popularitiy of the bandura coincided with the rise of Ukrainian patriotism and nationalism and the subsequent flourishing of the various expressions of art.

Today there are three major types of banduras played in concert: — the classical or folk bandura , tuned diatonically with strings and wooden pegs; — the Kharkiv bandura , developed by Hnat Khotkevych at the beginning of the 20th century and introduced as an instrument taught at the Kharkiv Conservatory. At first it was tuned diatonically and then developed into a fully chromatic instrument with 34 to 65 strings and three orchestral sizes: piccolo, prima, and bass; — the Kyiv bandura , also made in several sizes and types.

The instrument was first noted in a 6th century Greek chronicle in reference to warriors from Ukrainian territories. This instrument was much smaller, more circular and had fewer strings than the modern bandura. With time passing, more strings were added, some of which were strung along the side of the instrument.

This made frets along its neck obsolete. The kobza became a favourite instrument of the Ukrainian Cossacks and was widely played by the rural population and at the courts of Polish kings and Russian tsars. Here it served a role similar to the lute in Western Europe. The instrument was traditionally carved out of a single piece of wood and consisted of a soundboard with strings strung across it. The number of strings could vary from three to eight.

Occasionally it would have frets made of gut, and three to four additional strings strung along the soundboard. The strings were either plucked with a plectrum or with the ends of the fingers. The rebec is a string instrument, the pear-shaped body together wih neck and head of which is fabricated from a single piece of wood. In contrast to the fiddle, the rebec is tuned in fifths.

It was the most popular instrument in the Middle Ages. It is depicted in the hands of vagabonds, musicians, and angels. This instrument was often played on the occasion of local festivities and feasts, such as at the court of princes and kings. It has steadily been refined, and from the original spade-like form of the 8th century there has developed the oval form, which is nowadays known for its retracted strings.

From the late Middle Ages on, there has developed a large number of string instruments played with a bow, such as, for example, violins, violas, cellos, etc, which probably have their origin in the fiddle of the Middle Ages. The Ukrainian dulcimer is similar in construction to the husli. It came to the Ukraine through Hungary and Romania. It has a large wooden box with a soundboard on which strings are strung across in courses of three to five strings. Two bridges are placed on the soundboard, over which the strings are stretched.

These divide the strings so that each course of strings can produce two different notes. The strings are struck with wooden hammers. The Ukrainian tsymbaly was chromatizised in the s, and it then had legs and a damper pedal added. The small tsymbaly are still played and known as Hutsulski tsymbaly Carpathian region.

Originally the bayan was introduced into the Ukraine from Russia, to where it had been brought from Germany in the ies. It is now widely used prolifically and has replaced many traditional Ukrainian folk instruments. The bayan can play all notes of the chromatic scale.

The buttons are arranged so that each key may be played without changing the stop. The various platelets or reeds which are different in form and material make it possible to produce different sounds for one single tune, and as it is the case with the organ, the air may be distributed in the bayan due to a system of different stops so as to achieve variation in the timbre of sound. These stops are played by means of 16 keys arranged above the right-hand key-board; those which are used most frequently, may also be played with the chin, by means of seven buttons which are situated on top of the instrument.

Tambourines, in general, are handheld instruments with a round wooden frame and parchment or skin heads; metal disks or bells called jingles are inserted into the wooden rim. By striking the head of the tambourine or by shaking it, the jingles are set in motion.

The large drum bukhalo is often used in dance music. It is fixed to the player with a belt so that the performer can also dance and move. The instrument is struck with a stick embedded in wood or metal. Choral ensemble of Klyntsi village in the Ovruch district of the Zhytomyr region. The sheperd departs. Orchestra of folk instruments of the Forest Industry of the Transcarpathian region. For a garland. Folk ensemble of Vovchik village in the Kozelets district of the Chernihiv region. Why do you weep, why do you lament?

Folk ensemble of Alexeevka village in the Starosiniaski district of the Khmelnitski region. Wedding melodies for drymba. Duma about Marussia of Bohuslav. Lullaby: Oh, Liulonki. Ritornello for the telenka. Folk ensemble of Teresva village in the Rakhiv district of the Transcarpathian region, solo: Anton Huzak. The willow tree with many leaves.

Folk ensemble of Polessa village in the Sosnitsa district of the Chernihiv region. I am going to the mountain. Ivankivtsi village in the Starosiniavski district of the Khmelnitski region, solo: Ivan Kovalchuk. The mountain behind the mountain. Choral ensemble of Kovalikha village in the Smila district of the Cherkassy region. The rogues. Instrumental ensemble of Zherdino village in the Chemerdytsi district of the Khmelnitski region.

Good evening, little mother. Oh owl, do not announce any more misfortunes. Mama the dawn. Folk ensemble of Bonuslavka village in the Kharkiv district. You smell the white wine and the Baguette --foods all over this beautiful city.

Perfect for French atmosphere, allure and passion. You listen to two French Accordions, reeds, contra bass and a de-tuned piano. Full Track - European, France. Atmospheric ethnic electronic breakbeat with folk mood, Ukrainian ancient melodics, female voices and east European native folk instruments. Misty mountains, hopes and fears, anticipation of the future which is transparent. Female Vocals, Electronic , Ethnic Electronica.

Variation Instrumental - Electronic, Electropop. Songs about loss, death, loved ones, spiritual uplifting, heaven, angels,and or sickness in the family. Male Vocals, Pop , Pop Ballad. Full Track - Pop, Pop Ballad. The bridge between western and eastern liturgical traditions after years old alienation.

Greek Divine Liturgy is dressed by the author in the melodies of ancient Gregorian chorals with minimal adaptation that way creating a synthesis of both cultures. Mixed Vocals, Spiritual , Orthodox Christian.

Full Track - Spiritual, Orthodox Christian. Bright, cheerful mixture of reggae and Ukrainian folk. Almost all of the melodic and percussion instruments are east European native, as is the manner of performance. Beautiful and tender female vocals, simple and soulful Ukrainian lyrics.

Feeling of absolute freedom, flying over the troubled world. Female Vocals, Reggae , Reggae-Pop. Variation Instrumental - Electronic, Ethnic Electronica. Bed - East European, Russia. Ethnic melodies played on tsymbaly dulcimer , kobza and sopilka Ukrainian folk flute put on a loose relaxed slow funk beat with electronic pads and washes.

Good as background to modern rural and suburban life in East European countries. Instrumental, Pop , Euro-Pop. Uplifting cheerful mixture of dance club synthipop and east European melodics, with tender and sexy female vocals and plenty of folk grooves and melodies.

Happy and full of positive emotions. Simple and prettily sounding Ukrainian lyrics. Female Vocals, Pop , Synthpop. Variation Instrumental - Pop, Euro-Pop. Soft dance track with authentic Ukrainian folk rhythms and instruments such as drymba jaw harp , buhaj, lyre hurdy gurdy , kobza and bandura.

Can be a great soundtrack to TV-programs about travelling and sports. Instrumental, Dance , Eurodance. Full Track Instrumental - Dance, Eurodance. The upbeat single is a hot, horn blaring, club mover about heartbreak on the dance floor. Female Vocals, Pop , 90's Pop. Full Track - Pop, 90's Pop. Esthetic Education 49, listeners.

Nokturnal Mortum 66, listeners. Buy Loading. More Love this track. Play album. Dreams Endless Melancholy 3, listeners. Memories Endless Melancholy 2, listeners. Before, After Endless Melancholy 2, listeners. Listen Play ukrainian tag.