Eastern European music ensemble Kitka's latest release, Wintersongs is more than an alternative to the usual holiday music.  Here is a recording that will please the palettes of fans of Bulgarian choir music, the Italian a cappella group, Faraualla and the Finnish rune song group, Varttina, among others.  Wintersongs marks a celebration of women's vocals while exploring a rich tapestry of traditional songs from the Balkans, the Baltic region, Russia, Ukraine and other Eastern European countries.  Wintersongs features both Christmas and pagan songs, but it doesn't matter what spiritual path the listener follows, since all of these lush tracks could be called universal. The gorgeous vocal harmonies and open-throat singing are entrancing.

Kitka is a Californian based female octet versed in traditional music of Eastern Europe and Greece.  These women have done their research and uncovered some real gems along the way.  Here they focus on holiday fare, but they also offer three other recordings for fans of traditional vocal music, including, The Vine (2002), Nectar (1999) and Voices On The Eastern Wind (1993).  While many of these songs will not be familiar to ears unacquainted with this genre of music, the Ukrainian song, Shchedrik will certainly capture listeners' attention since this song which was originally about the return of a swallow was translated and revised by Peter Wilhousky and today many of us know the melody as Carol of the Bells.

The album opens with a pagan song, Tec, Peleite, Zernju Zogtu (Latvia) which features vocalists, Juliana Graffagna and Shira Cion who are backed by lead and rhythm tamburas, violin, frame drum, bells and percussion.  It is an old solstice celebration song.  A few of the songs feature duets, others are solo while some of the songs feature polyphonic vocals which includes drone vocals, lead and harmony.  Many of the songs such as, Oj, Jak Priletaly Taj Dva Sokolonky (Ukraine) are solemn while other songs such as Ayios Vasilis (Greece) are danceable and I would imagine that some of these songs are traditional dance tunes for their respective countries.  Some of the songs are a cappella while others feature a combination of percussion, accordion, tambura, bouzouki and violin.  These women provide listeners with intriguing arrangements and they are not short on imagination or vocal skills.

According to vocalist Shira Cion in the press notes, "Much of Kitka's repertoire utilizes an 'open voice' technique that contrasts markedly from Western classical 'Bel Canto' style and more familiar folk style."  But for those music audiences who are familiar with Varttina, the Mysterious Voices of Bulgaria or Faraualla will be familiar with this open voice technique since all those groups employ that vocal style.  This music will seem like second nature to fans of Eastern European and traditional Finnish music.  And in fact, it seems that a minor explosion of a cappella or other music favoring this vocal style has emerged on the scene in the past few years.  Whether or not you are familiar with vocal techniques, you will find Wintersongs to be an emotionally satisfying collection of songs full of passion.  I can't think of a better way to usher in the holiday season. 

-- Patty-Lynne Herlevi