Blahoslovy dushe moya hospoda
Kyrylo Stetsenko

The final years of Ukrainian composer Kyrylo Stetsenko’s life saw the Soviet-Ukrainian War of 1917-21 that resulted in Soviet victory. During the war, Stetsenko led a choir that toured Ukraine aiming to promote national unity; it was disbanded by the Bolsheviks in 1920. Against a backdrop of political repressions, famine and disease, Stetsenko died in 1922 of typhus whilst treating the sick aged 40.

In the 100th anniversary year of his death, where the parallels with his own life are all too apparent, we offer his setting of ‘Blahoslovy dushe moya hospoda’ in solidarity with the people of Ukraine in their continued struggle for freedom.

‘Bless the Lord, O my soul. Blessed art thou, O Lord my God. And all that is in me bless his holy name’

Recorded at St James's, Sussex Gardens in August 2022 with audio produced by Alex Patel.

Continuum
Directed by Harry Guthrie

www.continuumchoir.co.uk

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