Polesie_PL consists of talented female vocalists who possess a deep understanding of singing techniques and musical traditions from the eastern parts of Poland and Ukraine. Their expertise allows them to work with songs that were primarily learned through solo singing. A significant part of their repertoire comes from archival recordings dating back to the 1950s and 1960s, featuring the singing of women born at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries. Among the notable singers whose recordings have influenced the ensemble’s repertoire are Maria Kałużna from Orchówek (born 1894), known for her rich repertoire of ditties and wedding songs in both Polish and local Ukrainian dialect, as well as Maria Majówka (born 1914) from Bukowa Wielka, and others.
The ensemble’s repertoire includes songs passed down by the last generation of female singers in the region, as well as pieces reconstructed from archival recordings. These songs encompass various themes such as weddings, courtship, love, ditties, lullabies, baptisml songs, and unique tunes which are performed during the transition from winter to spring.
When working with songs preserved on old tapes, the ensemble focuses on retaining the local and specific style, relying on both intuition and their own musical experiences. This approach, combined with their exceptional artistic and expressive performances, creates a truly remarkable musical experience.
Line-up
Agnieszka Szokaluk, Julita Charytoniuk, and Ewa Grochowska.
