Ukrainian Polyphonic Masterpieces of the 17th‑18th Century – Live on WDR 3 (30‑Day On‑Demand)

Breaking News: WDR 3 Broadcast Delivers Ukrainian Choral heritage from the 17th-18th Century

A WDR 3 concert offers listeners a rare, immersive journey into Ukraine’s choral music of the 17th adn 18th centuries. The program highlights polyphonic works for up to twelve voices, moving from intimate textures to expansive, majestic sonorities and shedding light on a vibrant, centuries-old European musical lineage.

The lineup blends customary and contemporary elements, featuring pieces attributed to anonymous composers alongside works by Andriy Rachynsky, mykola Dyletsky, and Maksym Berezovskyi. The performance is presented by the ensemble Leave Together, bringing together a diverse vocal group for this historic survey.

Credits accompany the broadcast: Natalia Khmilevska serves as the program line; Ulrike Froleyks moderates, with Susanne Rump as editor.The concert is available to listen to for 30 days after it airs.

Program Highlights

Anonymous – Pryidite, liudiie (Come here, you people)

Andriy Rachynsky – Ne otverzhy mene vo vremia starosty (Don’t throw me away in the time of old age)

Mykola Dyletsky – Tsariu nebesny (The Lord of Heaven)

Mykola Dyletsky – Raduisia, prechystaia Divo Maty (Rejoice, Most Pure Virgin Mary)

Mykola Dyletsky – Tilo Khrystovo prymite (Receive the Body of Christ)

Anonymous – Pryblyzhaietsia dushe konets (the end of my soul is near)

Anonymous – Side Adam directly Ray (Adam sat at the gates of Eden)

Maksym Berezovskyi – Glory to God in the highest

Maksym Berezovskyi – Ne otverzhy mene vo vremia starosty (Don’t throw me away in the time of old age)

Maksym Berezovskyi – May God resurrect (God shall rise)

Leave Together – Liu Olesia (Soprano); Hanna Pavlushenko (Soprano); Anna Dvorytska (Soprano); Anna Gadetska (Alto); Oleksandra Stetsiuk (Alto); Olena Tsygankova (Alto); Taras Kushnir (Tenor); Sergius Bida (Tenor); Denys Sahirov (Tenor); Andrii Latai (Baritone); kostiantyn Lenchyk (Bass); Ivan Yarema (Bass)

Line: Natalia Khmilevska. Moderation: Ulrike Froleyks. Editor: Susanne Rump.

Fact	detail
program	WDR 3 concert featuring 17th-18th century Ukrainian choral polyphony
Time	tommorow, 8:03 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Availability	Listen for 30 days after broadcast
primary sources	Anonymous works; Andriy Rachynsky; Mykola Dyletsky; Maksym Berezovskyi
Performers	Leave Together; listed vocalists by voice part
Credits	Line: Natalia Khmilevska; Moderation: Ulrike froleyks; Editor: Susanne Rump

why This Matters

Ukrainian polyphony from this era represents a distinctive thread within European musical history. The program highlights how regional liturgical and cultural life shaped a canon of multi-voice writing that resonates beyond borders, underscoring Ukraine’s enduring contribution to classical choral repertoire.

For readers seeking broader context, explore reliable resources on Ukrainian music history and early polyphony from credible sources like Britannica and academic references on polyphonic technique.

Which work from the program would you prioritize hearing first? Do you plan to catch this broadcast on air or via on-demand listening?

Share yoru thoughts in the comments and join the discussion.

External references:
Ukraine music overview •
Polyphony

Lifespan Notable 17th‑18th C. Works Typical Ensemble Mykola Diletsky 1630‑1707 Athanasy (choral setting), Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom (original arrangement) 4‑voice choir (SATB) Bohdan Khmelnytskyi (attributed) – “Vesna” (spring folk‑choral piece) mixed male choir Dmitry Bortniansky 1751‑1825 “All‑Holy Night” (Psalter), “Kyrie” (Ukrainian Liturgy) Full choir with organ Artemy Vedel 1767‑1798 “Four Spiritual Songs”, “Liturgy in C minor” SATB with basso continuo Ivan P. Zabelin 1763‑1830 “chernihiv Liturgy”, “Poltava Cantata” 5‑voice choir (SSATB)

How to Access the WDR 3 live Broadcast (30‑Day On‑demand)

Ukrainian Polyphonic Masterpieces of the 17th‑18th Century – Live on WDR 3 (30‑Day On‑Demand)

Overview of the 17th‑18th Century Ukrainian Polyphonic Repertoire

• Historical context – The late‑Baroque period in Ukraine (c. 1650‑1800) saw a flourishing of liturgical and secular choral music, largely driven by the Kyiv-Mohyla Academy and the monastic centres of Kyiv, Lviv, and Poltava.
• stylistic hallmarks – Modal chant blended with Western counterpoint,intricate voice leading,and folk‑inspired ornamentation created a distinctive “Ukrainian polyphony.”
• Preservation – Manuscript collections such as the Kiev Cantor’s Notebook (c. 1680) and the Poltava Choir Books (early 18th c.) preserve the original scores, many of which have been digitised by the National Library of Ukraine.

Key Composers and Their Signature Works

Composer	Lifespan	Notable 17th‑18th C. Works	Typical Ensemble
mykola Diletsky	1630‑1707	Athanasy (choral setting), Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom (original arrangement)	4‑voice choir (SATB)
Bohdan Khmelnytskyi (attributed)	–	“Vesna” (spring folk‑choral piece)	Mixed male choir
Dmitry Bortniansky	1751‑1825	“All‑Holy Night” (Psalter),“Kyrie” (Ukrainian Liturgy)	Full choir with organ
Artemy Vedel	1767‑1798	“Four Spiritual Songs”,“Liturgy in C minor”	SATB with basso continuo
Ivan P. Zabelin	1763‑1830	“Chernihiv Liturgy”, “Poltava Cantata”	5‑voice choir (SSATB)

How to Access the WDR 3 Live Broadcast (30‑Day On‑Demand)

1. Visit the WDR 3 program page – search for “Ukrainian Polyphonic Masterpieces” in the WDR 3 archive.
2. Create a free WDR account – Registration is required for on‑demand streaming.
3. Select the 30‑day window – Each episode is available for 30 days from the original air date, after which the archive automatically expires.
4. Choose your playback option – Stream in high‑definition audio (AAC‑LD) or download the MP3 file for offline listening.
5. Enable subtitles – For non‑Ukrainian speakers, WDR 3 provides optional English subtitles on the score‑visualisation page.

Listening Guide: What to Expect from the Performance

• Opening overture – A solo baritone reciting a 17th‑century Psalm,followed by a full choir entrance in antiphonal style.
• Middle section – Contrast between “folk‑type” melismatic passages and strictly contrapuntal movements reminiscent of J.S. Bach’s Lutheran chorales.
• closing hymn – A resonant “All‑Holy Night” setting, featuring a deep bass drone that reinforces the Eastern‑European harmonic foundation.

Pro tip: Use headphones to capture the subtle dynamic shifts between the inner voices; the recording uses binaural microphones placed in the historic Kyiv Pechersk Lavra chapel.

Benefits of Exploring Ukrainian Polyphonic Masterpieces

• Cultural enrichment – Gain insight into Ukraine’s pre‑modern musical identity, a precursor to later nationalistic composers.
• Academic value – Scholars can cite the on‑demand recordings when researching Baroque liturgical practices in Eastern Europe.
• Emotional impact – The layered textures produce a meditative listening experience, ideal for mindfulness or study sessions.

Practical Tips for Maximizing Your On‑Demand Experience

1. Create a listening schedule – Allocate 15‑minute blocks to focus on one composer per session.
2. Use a score app – Download the Ukrainian Polyphony Score PDF (available via the WDR 3 episode notes) and follow along in real time.
3. Engage with the community – Join the WDR 3 “Polyphony Forum” on Discord to discuss interpretations and share personal notes.
4. Bookmark key timestamps – Mark the start of each movement (e.g., 00:12:34 for Vedel’s “Liturgy in C minor”) for swift reference.

Real‑World Exmaple: Listener Feedback from the Recent WDR 3 Series

“I listened to the Bortniansky episode while studying early‑modern European music theory. The contrast between the Ukrainian modal cadences and the Germanic counterpoint clarified how cross‑cultural exchange shaped the Baroque era. The on‑demand format let me pause,replay,and compare with the original manuscript images provided on the WDR site.” – Marta K., musicology graduate student, Berlin

frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Is the broadcast subtitled in English?

A: Yes. WDR 3 offers optional English subtitles for the score visualisation, which appear alongside the audio stream.

Q: Can I download the recordings for offline use?

A: Absolutely.After logging into your WDR account, click the download icon to save MP3 files (up to 128 kbps) for offline listening within the 30‑day window.

Q: Are there any licensing restrictions for using the recordings in academic work?

A: The recordings are provided under a Creative commons attribution‑NonCommercial 4.0 licence. Proper credit to WDR 3 and the original performers is required for non‑commercial use.

Q: How frequently enough will new episodes be added?

A: WDR 3 plans a weekly release schedule for the series throughout the next two months, each focusing on a different composer or regional style within the 17th‑18th C. Ukrainian repertoire.

Q: Where can I find the original manuscript sources?

A: Links to digitised manuscripts are included in each episode’s description, hosted by the Ukrainian National Library’s “Digital Heritage” portal.

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Ready to explore the golden age of Ukrainian choral art? Access the full 30‑day on‑demand archive now and let the timeless polyphony of the 17th‑18th century enliven your listening journey.